25-Year-Old Man Who Was Shot By Robber Over $1 At Miami Beach In Medically-Induced Coma

A 25-year-old Miami Beach man was shot on Thursday, July 21, by a robber over $1.

The robbery happened on the morning of July 21 along the 1000 block of 8 Street. According to the police, the victim and his friend were sitting outside his apartment building when the gunman demanded money. "The victim, in this case, and his friend were sitting on the steps of their apartment building when a male approached and demanded money and proceeded to shoot the victim in the torso," said Ernesto Rodriguez, spokesperson for Miami Beach Police Department.

The victims gave the robber a dollar and a wallet, but the suspect still fired his weapon before leaving the area. "The subject then flees the area," said Rodriguez. "He runs westbound and then south." Police are currently searching for the suspect.

The victim, who was studying to become an architect, was reportedly visiting from Argentina; he moved to South Florida two months ago. He was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Unit, where he remains in a coma. "He is intubated, sedated in a coma, fighting for his life. We thought in the last 24 hours he was going to die," Fernando Gallardo, the victim's father, told CBS Miami. "Please have empathy for us, we need justice"

Miami Beach PD released a sketch of the man. The shooter is described as a 5'5" to 5'8" man and is believed to be between 28 and 32 years old. According to the police, he has dark wavy hair with a fade on the sides and lighter brown tips, along with a goatee and a seemingly tribal tattoo on the right side of his neck. He was reportedly wearing a black zippered athletic jacket with red stripes on each sleeve paired with black athletic pants at the time of the shooting.

Miami Beach PD also posted the suspect's sketch on their Facebook page, "In collaboration with the witness, MBPD's Composite Sketch Artist created a sketch of the wanted subject." If anyone has any information of the man, they can call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. The department has announced a reward of up to $5,000 for anyone giving a tip.