Introduction to the Incident
An elderly man is lucky to be alive after a stray bullet struck him while he was inside his Florida City home.
Rafael Cotto was in his room doing a crossword puzzle after midnight on Monday when the bullet struck him at a home on Southwest 6th Court near 10th Street.
The bullet went through a hurricane shutter, then a room door, and then ended up lodged in Cotto’s shoulder.
Details of the Shooting
Video from the scene Monday shows more than a dozen evidence markers, marking the amount of bullet casings left behind. Cotto’s great-grandson was awake at the time of the shooting but at first thought it was the sound of dirt bikes in the neighborhood.
"We all thought it was a dirt bike, whatever, we pass it on until he comes out the room screaming. My mom comes downstairs and then that, but yeah but we didn’t expect it to be gunshots," Anthony de La Rosa said. "Everybody was confused, you know? Everybody’s chilling, it’s late at night, past 12, nobody’s expecting one of your family members to get shot, you know?"
Florida City Police said several men were shooting at each other in the roadway and gunfire struck parked cars and homes.
Investigation and Aftermath
Police added that they don’t have suspect leads at this point, as no witnesses have come forward.
The great-grandson said Cotto in stable condition and in good spirits. It’s possible he may have to undergo surgery.
"They say it might be too risky because of his age," de La Rosa said.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the dangers of stray bullets and the importance of reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities. The community is left shaken, and the family is grateful that Cotto’s injuries were not fatal. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring the perpetrators to justice.
FAQs
Q: What happened to Rafael Cotto?
A: Rafael Cotto, a 90-year-old man, was hit by a stray bullet while inside his Florida City home.
Q: What was the cause of the shooting?
A: The shooting was a result of several men shooting at each other in the roadway, with gunfire striking parked cars and homes.
Q: Is Rafael Cotto in stable condition?
A: Yes, according to his great-grandson, Cotto is in stable condition and in good spirits, but may need to undergo surgery.
Q: Do the police have any suspect leads?
A: No, the police do not have any suspect leads at this point, as no witnesses have come forward.
