Authorities in Miami have arrested a 25-year-old real estate agent in connection with the killing of two homeless men and the shooting of a third. According to Miami Herald, Willy Suarez Maceo, who authorities labeled as a “suspected serial killer”, is currently being held without bond on an attempted murder charge for the non-fatal shooting of the third man.
Police said Maceo, on December 21, opened fire on that homeless man unprovoked. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head. And following the shooting, the man told police he did not know how he sustained that injury.
Miami’s police chief said Maceo is also suspected to have fatally shot another homeless man two hours after the aforementioned incident. The victim was sleeping on a sidewalk when Maceo allegedly pulled up in a black Dodge Charger and opened fire. That shooting triggered an extensive investigation, and authorities are yet to charge the 25-year-old suspect in connection with the killing. A surveillance camera also recorded that shooting.
“Homeless individuals for no reason have been brutally targeted,” Miami Interim Police Chief Manuel Morales said during a press conference on Thursday. “They felt the pain and injustice suffered at the hands of a brutal individual.”
Morales said detectives were able to eventually link Maceo to the two shootings through his car license plates. The ballistics tests that were carried out on his handgun also matched the weapon that was used to carry out the shootings. Maceo is also suspected to have killed another homeless man on October 16. Authorities are, however, yet to establish the motive behind the shootings.
During his court appearance on Friday, Maceo’s lawyer, Kendal Rinko, argued there wasn’t any probable cause to keep him in custody, Miami Herald reported. Rinko said the fact that the car and murder weapon belonged to Maceo did not automatically mean he was behind the shootings.
“Mr. Maceo is never seen carrying out the shooting in this case, or being present in the vehicle during the shooting at issue in this case,” Rinko said.
Circuit Judge Alberto Milian, however, ruled there was sufficient evidence for the premeditated attempted murder charge. Milian subsequently denied Maceo bond and pointed to his alleged “peculiar pattern” of attacking homeless people in what “appears to be execution style” attacks.
“I conclude the defendant is a danger to the community,” Milian said.
Morales also said Maceo may have attacked other victims. He, therefore, entreated the public and other police departments to provide information on the other possible victims.
“There may be other victims who suffered at the hands of this ruthless criminal,” Morales said.
