A man who survived fighting his whole career as a military man was shot while outside his home in North Miami Beach Sunday, police and family members said.
NBC 6 spoke to the victim's grandson, Troy Robinson Jr., who described his grandfather, Erick Ferrer, as a quiet and peaceful man who enjoyed being out in front of his house.
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"He comes home, works, eats, does what he has to do," said Robinson Jr. "He doesn’t bother anyone."
The shooting happened on the 18000 block of Northeast 21st Court.
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The North Miami Beach Police Department responded and was investigating a car that family confirmed to NBC 6 was Ferrer's. The car was eventually towed from the scene.
Witnesses said they heard two, maybe three gunshots. One noticed a truck drive off, went out to the driveway, and saw Ferrer slumped over.
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He was in his comfort spot, his car, where he would smoke cigarettes and was known to sit there all the time.
Tzoni Kolev has lived in the neighborhood for the past three years, walking his dogs every morning in what he described as a safe neighborhood.
"It's very quiet," said Kolev. "I'm very surprised something happened."
Ferrer was taken to Aventura Hospital where his family said he was alive but in critical condition.
"He is a beautiful person and he never did any bad to anyone," said friend Gladys Medero.
Police have not released any information on potential suspects or the cause of the shooting.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.