Background: The Wynwood Boutique building in Wynwood, Florida (Google Maps). Inset: Anthony Christopher Russian (Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation)
A fight over parking at a Florida Airbnb allegedly escalated to full-blown road rage and ended in gunfire when a man driving a Porsche apparently shot a driver who was “taking too long” trying to fit his truck into a tight spot.
Anthony Christopher Russian, 29, is facing two charges — attempted second-degree murder and use or display of a firearm while committing a felony — for allegedly pulling his gun on the victim, who has not been publicly identified. According to Miami Fox affiliate WSVN, police responded to a ShotSpotter alert indicating gunfire shortly after 11 p.m. on April 11, and arrived to find the victim bleeding inside the Airbnb where he was staying.
The victim reportedly declined an ambulance but instead took himself to a hospital. He spoke to police the next day.
According to police, the victim and Russian encountered each other as the victim was trying to park his Toyota Tacoma in a “narrow” spot near the Airbnb.
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Russian was driving a Porsche at the time, according to local ABC affiliate WPLG. He allegedly pulled up as the victim was backing into the space and “began to honk at the victim to hurry him up.”
After the victim parked, he reportedly asked Russian why he was honking.
Russian reportedly responded to the victim that “he was taking too long,” according to the police report cited by WPLG. As the victim approached, Russian allegedly pulled out a gun, “aimed it at the victim’s torso and pulled the trigger.”
Police said that the gun malfunctioned, WPLG reported, even after Russian apparently tried to adjust the chamber.
The victim had turned to walk away when he “heard a gunshot and immediately felt a burning sensation on his right foot,” the WPLG report said.
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According to court records, Russian has a hearing scheduled for Monday. As of Friday, he was still in police custody.
