Miami business owner was robbed and fatally shot in East Little Havana

A local businessman was robbed and killed outside his east Little Havana business Friday evening.

Miami Police responded to reports of a shooting at around 8:15 p.m. at a Boost Mobile store, 443 NW 12 Ave., where they found a 65-year-old man with a gunshot wound, Miami Police spokesperson Kiara Delva said in a statement.

Walter Castaneda Sr. was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

Officers say Castaneda was closing the store he owned when a person robbed and shot him before getting away in a white four-door sedan.

Friday evening, WSVN News reported surveillance video of someone in an orange hoodie struggling with Castaneda before firing at the store owner and then running off while clutching a small bag. Castaneda’s son, Walter Castaneda Jr., told the station that the bag likely contained the store’s weekly cash earnings.

“Somehow, I don’t know how they know he had money in a small bag, in his lunch bag,” he told WSVN. “We just need more security around this area for our people to work.”

Police say the suspect possibly has a medium built and is in his 30’s.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Miami Police Department’s Homicide Unit at (305) 603-6350. Those with information that wish to remain anonymous can contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-8477, visit www.crimestoppersmiami.com and select “Give a Tip” or Send a text message to 274637. Enter CSMD followed by the tip information and press send.

This story was originally published October 3, 2021 at 5:10 PM.