Man charged in North Miami triple homicide
MIAMI - A man is facing charges following a triple shooting that led to the deaths of three men Monday afternoon in NE Miami.
It happened outside an apartment building at around 4 p.m. in the area of the 12200 block of NE 5th Avenue.
Two of the men died at the scene and a third was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he later died.
Police took one person into custody. Pierce Hoempler, 33, is facing three counts of second-degree murder.
Investigators have not said what may have led to the shooting. They did say that the ages of the victims ranged from 30 to 50 years old.
In bond court on Tuesday afternoon, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy Glazer held Hoempler without bond and found probable cause for the charges against him.
Major Kessler Brooks with North Miami Police said, "Believe that everyone involved in this heinous act, we're not sure how it occurred, but they're either cooperating with police, they're in police custody, or lending information..."
Brooks told CBS News Miami's Peter D'Oench police could still not say what lead to the shooting that claimed the lives of Hector Rivera and his two sons Jeremy and Frank Rivera.
A police report said that Hector Rivera got in to an argument with Hoempler and the suspect pinned him to the ground and when Hector's sons tried to help him, all three men were shot when Hoempler pulled out a semi-automatic pistol.
Cassandra Rivera says her uncle and cousins died in the shooting.
Rivera said her relatives fought with a neighbor they clashed with once before, only this time things spiraled out of control.
A neighbor who said his first name was Sage said, "I heard the argument and I heard there was gunfire. I know Pierce. I can't imagine he had done something like that. It is the stupidest waste of life ever, just to argue with someone and use a weapon. It is the most neanderthal waste of life I have ever seen in my life. Why would you do that? There is no argument that justifies killing anyone under any circumstances."
"A simple fight and now three persons dead. For what? And now you are in prison for what? I don't understand. This was my family and he took my family," said Rivera.
A neighbor's surveillance cameras captured the sound of the gunfire.
According to a police report, the victims were not armed. Hoempler did not want to give a statement. The report said he was identified by several witnesses.
Authorities said there was no threat to area neighbors.
North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme said this about the shooting, "Our community mourns the recent tragic shooting incident. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. We are committed to working tirelessly with law enforcement to ensure swift justice and enhance the safety measures in our city. Together, we stand united against violence, fostering a community that prioritizes peace and security for all."
