Police identify suspect arrested after shooting, massive fire at Miami apartment building

MIAMI – Police have identified the man who was arrested following Monday's shooting and massive fire at a four-story building in Miami as 73-year-old Juan Francisco Figueroa.

Jail records show Figueroa was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center early Tuesday morning on charges of attempted murder, first-degree arson, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and use of a firearm. fire while committing a crime.

He is expected to appear in bond court later today.

Police say a man – identified by building management as an employee – was found shot to death on the third floor of the building.

Family members identified the injured man as 30-year-old Feder Biotte.

Sky 10 was above the building, located at 431 Northwest Third St., around 9 a.m. Monday as heavy smoke billowed from the building.

SKY 10 ON AN APARTMENT FIRE IN MIAMI:

It is part of the Temple Court Apartments complex.

According to first responders, the call came around 8:15 a.m. in the form of an explosion and many elderly people live in the building.

Miami Fire Department Lt. Pete Sanchez confirmed crews responded to the scene and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the third floor of the building. Authorities said they rescued more than 40 people.

“Firefighters extended water hoses into the structure to initiate an aggressive fire attack and simultaneously, other crews began rescuing victims from their units,” Sanchez said in an email to Local 10 News. “Several residents were rescued from their apartments and some from their balconies. A second alarm was triggered based on operational needs for strategies and tactics.

The fire was later upgraded to a three-alarm fire.

“This is a three-alarm fire. “We haven't had one in 25 years, so this is something that is obviously a major event for us and they are doing a heroic job in dealing with it, including rescuing residents throughout this incident.” Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said at a press conference. “This is a very old structure built in the 1920s. It is possible that there was an accelerator.

Suarez said more than 40 units responded to the scene.

When crews arrived, they found Biotte, who had been shot in the abdomen on the third floor.

Reynold Romeus, who identified himself as Biotte's cousin and godfather, expressed shock and anguish over the incident, saying that at first he could not understand the news of his loved one's murder.

“I never heard him have a problem with anyone. He is a very nice man. He loves his family and that really hurt me,” Romeus said.

Suarez said shortly after 6 p.m. Monday that the suspected shooter had been arrested and that the gunman may have started the fire.

Sanchez released a statement Monday evening that said in part: “At this point, the Miami Fire Investigation Unit, Miami Police and the State Fire Marshal’s Office must now continue their investigation. It took eight hours to bring the incident under control and two units will remain on site overnight to extinguish any spot fires that may arise. The American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents due to the extent of the damage to the building.