MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – After a man in a wheel chair was shot dead, the killer took police on a high-speed chase Tuesday, police sad. It ended in the northbound lanes of Interstate 95 near Miami Gardens.
The 58-year-old man was shot dead about 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Northwest 95th Street and Seventh Avenue. Witnesses told police that the gunman, identified Tuesday night as Rodney Louis, 27, was in a gold Chevy Impala. About 10 a.m., he was weaving in and out of traffic on I-95 in northwest Miami-Dade County.
About 10 minutes later, Louis crashed into a black car near the Miami Gardens Drive exit. The driver's door was pinned against the median. The driver of the black car suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.
Police cars surrounded Louis' car with their guns drawn. He got out through the passenger side and surrendered.
MAP | Crime scene and arrest spot
"Anyone who would commit a crime of this caliber at 9:30 in the morning is someone we need off the streets," Miami-Dade police spokeswoman Robin Pinkard said.
Witnesses told Local 10 News that the victim was homeless and frequented the intersection to ask for money.
"He sells water on the corner often --almost everyday," Jahziah Sandoval said.
A woman who sells water on the opposite corner told Local 10 News the victim is her husband's step father, and said he is not homeless. She said money has been tight and he was bound to a wheelchair due to his arthritis.
Another woman also claimed to know the victim well. She and the victim's daughter-in-law said it all went downhill three years ago, after he lost his disability check.
"He do nothing bad to nobody," said Indiana Baez. "I think they robbed him for the money that people give everyday, but it is little."
Pinkard said police officers were able to catch the man's killer after multiple witnesses provided a description of the gunman and the getaway car. As the investigation continued on Tuesday afternoon, southbound traffic on I-95 could not exit at Northwest 95th Street.
Louis is charged with first-degree murder, fleeing and eluding, grand theft and resisting arrest without violence.