Florida City Man Arrested After Allegedly Shooting, Beating Loan Recipient Outside Hialeah Supermarket

Carlos Alvarez, 34, of Florida City has been arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon following an incident on August 6 outside Sedano’s Supermarket at 950 E. Fourth Ave. in Hialeah. According to the Hialeah Police Department, Alvarez had previously loaned the victim $4,000 to help purchase a vehicle.

On the day of the assault, Alvarez contacted the victim and requested a meeting at the supermarket, investigators said. The confrontation began verbally but escalated when the victim initiated a video call with his girlfriend, at which point Alvarez retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and struck the victim in the face with the weapon. As the victim attempted to flee, Alvarez fired two shots in his direction, according to an arrest report.

After the initial shooting, Alvarez fled the scene but called the victim—who had taken refuge inside the supermarket—to warn him against contacting police. When the victim emerged from the store, Alvarez returned and assaulted him further with his fists before leaving again. Officers were no longer present when they arrived at the scene.

The victim did not report the incident until August 13, one week later, when he filed a statement at the Hialeah Police Department’s headquarters at 5555 E. Eighth Ave. Surveillance footage from the area corroborated his account, and Alvarez was apprehended at his residence on Tuesday by members of the HPD Major Crimes Unit. He is currently held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with bond to be determined.