Miami Road Rage Shooting Exposes Growing Public Safety Crisis
A Miami-Dade courtroom heard harrowing testimony Tuesday as delivery driver Michel Dorta Mestre, 56, recounted how a simple horn honk nearly cost him his life. The incident underscores the deteriorating state of public safety in urban America, where citizens can no longer rely on basic civility or police protection.
Alex Felizor, 39, of North Miami faces charges for allegedly firing four shots at Dorta Mestre's vehicle during a road rage incident on N.E. 125th Street. The shooting occurred at 11:55 a.m. near N.E. 10th Avenue, transforming a routine delivery route into a life-threatening encounter.
Victim's Account Reveals Escalating Violence
Speaking through a Spanish translator, Dorta Mestre testified that he honked his horn two or three times before Felizor allegedly opened fire. "He never touched my car but I heard 3 or 4 shots. When he got close to my car, he started filming my tag," the victim testified.
The Home Depot delivery driver revealed this was not his first road rage encounter, highlighting the dangerous working conditions faced by service workers. Most troubling, Dorta Mestre expressed fear about returning to work and concern for his family's safety.
"I work with my son and my son could not come that day because he was ill. If he was there that day one of those 4 bullets could have hit him," he said, holding up a bullet recovered from his tire.
Court Sets Strict Conditions
Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy Glazer labeled Felizor a "danger to the community" while setting bond at $15,000. The judge imposed house arrest level three, confining Felizor to his home except for authorized appointments, with an 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.
Judge Glazer also ordered the surrender of all firearms and prohibited contact with the victim. The defendant, speaking through a Creole translator, claimed his phone battery had died, preventing family contact.
Evidence Points to Premeditated Violence
Police reports detail a disturbing pattern of escalation. Officers recovered a black handgun from Felizor's right pocket containing six .380 rounds with one chambered. A spent shell casing was found in the driver's seat, while three bullet holes marked the victim's vehicle.
The arrest report noted that "all of the bullets made contact with the vehicle, which could have killed the driver," and that one bullet penetrated the front windshield. Video evidence on the victim's phone reportedly shows the suspect approaching the vehicle.
Neighbor Kevin Noel expressed shock at the arrest, stating he had known Felizor for years and couldn't believe the allegations.
Broader Implications for Public Safety
This incident reflects a troubling trend where minor traffic disputes escalate to deadly violence. The case raises serious questions about firearms accessibility and the effectiveness of current public safety measures in protecting law-abiding citizens going about their daily business.
For delivery drivers like Dorta Mestre, who provide essential services to communities, such encounters represent an occupational hazard that threatens both livelihoods and lives. The psychological impact extends beyond the immediate victim to family members and the broader community.
As this case proceeds through the courts, it serves as a stark reminder that personal responsibility and respect for others' rights remain fundamental to a functioning society.