Hialeah

Man with history of stalking ex fatally shot while fighting with another man: Hialeah Police

Police said the shooting appeared to be in self-defense.

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A man died and another was questioned after an argument between a woman's ex-boyfriend and her friend ended in gunfire Wednesday in a Hialeah neighborhood.

Hialeah Police officials said officers responded to a call of a shooting in the 4000 block of West 13th Lane around 6:40 a.m. and found a man dead at the scene.

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Police spokesperson Eddie Rodriguez said the man who died, identified as 26-year-old Christian Rueda, arrived at his ex's place and saw another man leaving the house.

"This is an ex-boyfriend (Rueda) that she’s had problems with in the past, restraining orders, stalking," Rodriguez said. "As he arrived at the home, he happens to see a male exiting the house."

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Rueda confronted the man, identified as 23-year-old Omar Jamal Huggins, and they started arguing.

“During the fight, the ex-boyfriend continues to attack this male. The male advises him several times that he is armed and to stop the attack, and (Rueda) continues to attack this male that’s leaving the house," Rodriguez said. "The male takes out a firearm and the ex-boyfriend grabs the firearm, and now they’re wrestling for this firearm. They’re wrestling back and forth when the gun goes off."

Rueda was shot in the chest, killing him, police said.

Huggins was taken into custody, along with Rueda's ex-girlfriend, to be questioned by police. Footage showed a man in handcuffs before he was placed in the back of a police car by officers.

Police later determined the shooting was self-defense and justifiable, and that Huggins had a legally concealed gun, officials said in a news release.

Detectives found Rueda has a history of stalking, harassment and domestic battery against his ex-girlfriend, as well as a long criminal history.

Nearby residents said they were surprised the incident happened in their neighborhood.

"I only heard two shots," said neighbor Manuel Chirino. "This is a really quiet neighborhood."

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