Machete fails to deter customers
An attempt at creating a viral video backfired Tuesday when two men who walked into a Kendall Burger King were met by a man with a machete and the ensuing argument ended in gunfire, police said.
In the end, the machete and the bullets failed to find their mark. But the two wanna-be video producers — after a lengthy cat-andmouse chase with weapons through the restaurant’s parking lot — were taken into custody.
Enrique Santana, 26, was arrested and charged with attempted murder with a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm.
His partner Daniel Rodriguez, 20, was arrested and charged with attempted murder with a firearm, aggravated battery with a firearm and tampering with evidence. Both were taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and denied bond. Both remained jailed Wednesday.
Tuesday’s melee left sections of Bird Road closed off for hours and a vehicle resting on the street with a blown-out window. MiamiDade police Detective Jennifer Capote said detectives didn’t elaborate on how they knew the duo were trying to create a viral video.
According to police and witness accounts, Santana and Rodriguez walked into a Burger King at 11595 SW 40th St. at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, and “in an attempt to garner likes or views on social media sites” they began causing a scene and harrassing employees and customers.
When the pair left the store but continued yelling expletives, police said they were followed by Burger King patron Jorge Rodriguez, who, fearing a robbery, had placed a machete against the outer wall of the restaurant but within reach.
When Jorge Rodriguez produced the machete, police said, the two men began to drive the Volkswagen Jetta they were in through the parking lot, but suddenly stopped and reversed back toward Jorge Rodriguez.
That’s when, Jorge Rodriguez told police, one of the two videographers screamed “Shoot him!” and a black firearm was pulled. So Jorge Rodriguez took off toward his car and grabbed his own gun. When the two men appeared to leave once again, Jorge Rodriguez put the firearm back in his car, police said.
Still, they returned. And once again, they pointed a gun at Jorge Rodriguez. And once again, Rodriguez retrieved his firearm. This time the standoff seemed to work, according to Rodriguez, and police said Santana and Daniel Rodriguez drove off from the parking lot in the Jetta. But again, they returned.
This time, police said, Jorge Rodriguez approached the car with his gun and ordered them out of the car. When one of the men in the car showed his gun again, Jorge Rodriguez took off running up Bird Road, police said.