Man locked up days after shooting another outside a Miami restaurant, police say

A man was rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds to his legs on after being shot at a Miami restaurant Sunday. The alleged culprit turned himself in two days later, according to police.

Gunfire broke out at around 10:40 a.m. on outside Republica Food and Lounge, located at 1260 NW 36th Street, police say.

Investigators say Francisco Alexis De Leon, 36, got into an argument with another man inside the restaurant. The manager told police that he asked De Leon to leave before things escalated, according to his arrest affidavit. Witnesses said De Leon left in a white Toyota Highlander but returned a short time later.

Surveillance video reviewed by detectives shows a man identified as De Leon stepping out of the passenger side of the SUV, running toward the victim and firing a gun, his arrest report reads. Police say De Leon tried to fire again, but the gun malfunctioned. De Leon then ran back to the car, which was driven away east on NW 36th Street.

Witnesses took the injured man to Jackson Memorial Hospital in a black Mercedes-Benz, police say. There, detectives interviewed witnesses and the victim, who identified the shooter only by the name “Alexis.”

The victim told police he does not know why De Leon shot him.

Facial recognition from surveillance video later matched De Leon, and police confirmed he owns a white 2020 Toyota Highlander with a matching license plate.

De Leon turned himself in Tuesday at Miami Police Headquarters, accompanied by his attorney. He was read his rights but declined to give a statement.

He’s now charged with attempted murder, shooting or throwing a deadly missile, using a firearm while committing a felony and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

De Leon’s court records were not immediately available.

This story was originally published October 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM.