Inset: Moises Mendoza (Miami-Dade Corrections). Background: The area of NW 30th Avenue and NW 11th Street in Miami where Mendoza allegedly stabbed his friend (Google Maps).
Nineteen-year-old Moises Mendoza faces charges of attempted second-degree murder and evidence tampering. As detailed in a probable cause arrest affidavit, the victim, who had sustained several stab injuries, managed to flag down a police officer around 10 p.m. on Sunday near NW 30th Avenue and NW 11th Street.
The victim recounted that Mendoza attacked him inside a vehicle. He explained that after a day of fishing, they returned to a residence to cook their catch. While attempting to change the music, he accidentally spilled beer on Mendoza’s phone.
Allegedly, Mendoza accused the victim of deliberately spilling the drink, sparking a heated argument. Another individual offered to drive the victim home with Mendoza accompanying them, as stated in the affidavit. The argument persisted during the drive, leading the victim to throw beer towards Mendoza. This act reportedly prompted Mendoza to assault the victim with a red-handled kitchen knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds, according to police reports.
After the attack, the victim fled the vehicle and sought assistance from a nearby officer. Law enforcement utilized street cameras to identify the vehicle, tracing it to a local apartment complex where they discovered bloodstains in the passenger area. The vehicle owner reportedly confessed that after the incident, he took Mendoza to his residence, where Mendoza disposed of the knife and his shirt in a trash bin.
The victim reportedly exited the car and ran to the officer for help. Cops identified the vehicle using street cameras and tracked it to a nearby apartment complex. They saw there was blood in the passenger seat and rear passenger floor. The vehicle owner allegedly said after the stabbing, he dropped Mendoza off at home and saw him dump the knife and shirt he was wearing in a garbage can.
Officers went to Mendoza’s home where he allegedly admitted to stabbing the victim. He was taken to the Miami-Dade jail where he remains without bond. He pleaded not guilty.
