Four Stabbed While Leaving Grove Halloween Party
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A 21-year-old Davie man with an extensive history of arrests is charged with stabbing four men as a Halloween party near Cocowalk in Coconut Grove was breaking up early Thursday.
Miami Police said Anevri Moreira is charged with attempted second-degree murder, and the knife that was used in the attack has been recovered after the incident on the 3200 block of Grand Avenue at 3:15 a.m.
"Because of the amount of police presence that we had, we were able to not just recover the knife but to apprehend the person who may have been the one who stabbed all 4 victims," said Miami Police spokeswoman, Officer Kenia Reyes.
Records show Moreira had been arrested before for battery on a police officer, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, marijuana possession and violation of probation.
Police said it's not clear what sparked the incident; but they said it happened when a fight broke out as a large group of people were leaving the party.
"Right now detectives have very little information as to why the actual argument took place," said Reyes.
She said one of the victims was rushed to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in extremely critical condition. Two were in critical condition. One victim reportedly went into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing. Paramedics were able to revive him and he was rushed into surgery when he reached the hospital.
A woman who identified herself as Esther told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that her cousin was one of the four men who were stabbed.
"I really don't know how he is. He has not come out of surgery," Esther told D'Oench. "I really don't know what happened with my cousin. I probably would have been the one being stabbed if I was there. I really don't know what happened."
"Like any person you feel bad if it happened to one of your family members," said Esther.
CBS4's Kara Kostanitch caught up with Melissa Torres, who told her the father of their child, Manuel Napolis, was one of the victims. She said Napolis spent the morning in surgery.
"Any idea why someone would want to target those guys?" asked Kostanitch.
"I really don't know," said Torres. "I really don't know what's going on. I have not spoken with police."
Kostanitch reported that the victims were in their late 20's and early 30's, and said it was not clear if all of the victims were taking part in the Halloween party.
At the crime scene, police officers were seen combing through some of the clothing left behind by those at the Halloween party and they were also sorting through evidence and putting it in paper bags. Reyes appealed for witnesses to come forward.
"As you know there was a large crowd and there may been other people who have seen what took place," said Reyes. "We need to hear from other people who may have seen something taking place."
If you have any information that can help Miami Police, call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
