Police investigate fatal shooting in Downtown Miami

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Detectives are investigating the scene of a shooting that killed one man and left the other on life support.

Miami Police responded to the shooting in the area of Northeast 10th Street and First Avenue Friday morning. Witnesses reportedly heard four to five shots ring out. Authorities said 39-year-old Franco Rodriguez and 32-year-old Manual Suarez were sitting in their sport utility vehicle when gunfire erupted.

"Apparently a vehicle pulled up next to them," said Miami Police Officer Jeffrey Giordano, "opened fire on the victim's vehicle, striking the passenger and the driver of the vehicle," said Miami Police Officer Jeffrey Giordano.

Suarez is now clinging to life in extremely critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital, while doctors pronounced Rodriguez dead upon arrival. "The driver was shot in the head and the passenger was in the side of the neck, behind the ear," a witness at the scene said.

Authorities said they are not ruling out road rage as a possible motive. "The reason that were not ruling out road rage is there is two vehicles involved in the incident, and we don't know if they were involved in an argument or not, so we're certainly looking at all possibilities in this shooting," said Giordano.

Police are looking for a blue Chevy Malibu that was seen in the area around the time of the shooting.

According to relatives, the men were close friends. Rodriguez leaves behind a wife and five children.

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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