Daughter Says Father Shot His Attacker In Self-Defense At Miami Barbershop
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The co-owner of a Miami barbershop was forced to shoot a man inside his business Thursday morning because he had been stabbed in the stomach by an intruder and was defending himself, according to his daughter.
"He attacked my Dad and he defended himself," said Jennefer Beriguete, who says her 45-year-old father Serban Berigete was attacked at the Cooperstown Barbershop at 2060 N.W. 22nd Ave. in Allapattah just after 11 a.m.
She told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "His attacker got shot when he stabbed my dad. My dad defended himself by shooting him. I am pretty stunned and pretty upset. But I hope for the best for my dad."
Both men were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in serious condition.
Police later confirmed that the alleged attacker was pronounced deceased by hospital staff. They are withholding his name until next of kin is notified.
Beriguete said her father, who has three children had operated the barbershop for a decade, had kept the gun for protection and had never had to use it before at work.
"From what I know, my Dad was in the barbershop all the way in the back washing his hands and a guy came in with a switchblade like a razor in his pocket and when he came in he really didn't communicate or say 'is anyone there?' He just went in back and attacked my dad and he defended himself," said Beriguete.
"I have no idea why he did this," she added. "Maybe it was a client of my dad's. Maybe something went south. Nothing is really confirmed. Everyone said it just happened so fast that they had no idea why it happened. Everybody loves my dad."
"What went through your mind?" Beriguete was asked.
"The world is a crazy place," she replied. "I just hope that nothing super crazy happens beyond this. My dad is in pretty serious condition according to the social worker with him. He said he is recovering and he is conscious right now. We hope he stabilizes before we can speak with him and we have to wait for police to talk to him first anyhow."
Melany Beriguete said, "My husband is doing fine but I don't feel good. I received a message to go to the barbershop. I don't know what happened."
She said she had heard that the attacker might have had "mental health issues."
Police have not said how this incident happened or what prompted it as they are talking to witnesses and trying to piece together a narrative that they can release.
Miami Police Officer Kenia Fallat said, "As to what lead to this altercation we do not know."
She said police need witnesses to come forward.
"It's always important for people to come forward with information," Fallat said. "People may have witnessed something and as little as that may be, the information could be critical to the investigation."
She said police are looking for surveillance tape and anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).
