Gunman in Bal Harbour Shops shooting sought

BAL HARBOUR, Fla. (WSVN) -- Bal Harbour Police are searching for the man who ended his involvement in a dispute outside the restaurant of an upscale shopping center late Tuesday by opening fire.

The Bal Harbour Police Department said five people got into an argument outside an elevator in proximity to Bal Harbour Shops' Carpaccio moments before the chaos erupted.

Police said the incident began as an altercation between a man, now on the run, and a victim. "There was talk over a disturbance between some of the girlfriends and that rose into another level, but we are checking out with other government law enforcement agencies to see if there could be any other issues," said Bal Harbour Police Chief Tom Hunker.

The wounded knee of the shooter's supposed target can be seen in cell phone footage recorded by a patron in the aftermath of the fight. "A white male shot in the knee and a female shot in the foot," said Chief Hunker, making mention of the lower-leg injury suffered by a bystander.

7 News got in contact with the male shooting victim's father, Alex Bartnovsky, who lives in New York. He identifies the victim who was shot in the knee as his son Chris Bartnovsky.

Reporter: "When you spoke to your son what did he say?"

Bartnovsky: "He says he doesn't know why they hit him....he doesn't know."

Reporter: "And how is he doing?"

Bartnovsky: "Thank God, better."

Reporter: "But he's going through an operation right?"

Bartnovsky: "Yes, he got an operation already."

Police spent their entire day conducting an intensive investigation to take this suspect off the streets. "We have information right now of an individual that we believe may have been involved in this, who is quite prominent to South Florida and other parts of the United States," said Hunker.

An innocent by stander was injured, along with an elderly woman, who were both taken to the hospital. "Both of them are in satisfactory conditions. There is no life threatening injuries," said

"It's unsettling," said a resident, "but it's a sign of the times: as the economy [declines]...crime goes up."

If you have any information on this shooting, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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