Background: News footage of the Dr. Limon restaurant in Homestead, Fla. (WPLG). Inset: Samantha Morales (Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation).
A woman from Florida finds herself in custody following allegations that she fired gunshots at a group of women exiting a restaurant.
Samantha Morales, 34, is facing multiple charges after authorities reported that she drove up to three women outside a restaurant on April 17 and opened fire, injuring two of them. During a bond hearing held on Monday, the judge decided that Morales would remain at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without the option of bail.
As per an arrest report obtained by Law&Crime, the three women were exchanging farewells outside the Dr. Limon restaurant in Homestead, Florida, on the evening of April 17. Morales, a stranger to the women, approached them in her black Tesla. One of the women recounted that Morales allegedly addressed them from her vehicle, inquiring, “You all good?”
One of the women responded to Morales, assuring her, “Yes, we good. Are you good?”
Morales purportedly retorted, “Yes, b—, but it looks like you have a problem.” According to a witness, Morales then stepped out of her car and posed the question, “What are you gonna do about it?”
The arrest report indicates that the women verbally challenged Morales, while another bystander warned them that she was armed. Police stated that Morales eventually fired two shots, striking two of the women. A scuffle ensued when one of the women attempted to disarm Morales by lunging at her. The confrontation came to an end when law enforcement officers arrived and separated Morales from the other women.
Morales was read her rights and told police that she did not remember what happened, except that she was “fighting for her life.” Police said she admitted to having “three alcoholic beverages” before the alleged shooting.
Morales was charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, one count of using a firearm, and two misdemeanors. She is in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where she was ordered to be held without bond. She is scheduled to appear in court again on Wednesday and will be arraigned on May 18.
Local independent news outlet WPLG reported that the two women who were shot were in stable condition.
