Police say a shooting outside a Hialeah UPS facility stemmed from a workplace dispute that escalated when a former employee approached with a firearm. The shooter acted in self-defense, stopping the threat before it could become deadly.
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HIALEAH, FL (2-minute read) — A workplace confrontation early Thursday morning outside a UPS-affiliated facility in Hialeah turned violent when a former employee arrived armed with a concealed firearm, prompting another man to act in self-defense, according to police.
The incident unfolded around 3:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the facility at 969 E. 56th St., directly across from the Hialeah Police Department. Authorities say the conflict began between two groups of employees during a shift change, and tempers flared to the point where one individual threatened to bring in an armed friend.
That friend was identified as 21-year-old Anthony Ernest, a former employee of the facility. Ernest allegedly approached one of the groups with his hand in a bookbag that concealed a firearm, prompting a family member of one of the workers—who was waiting to pick him up—to react swiftly.
According to Hialeah Police Lt. Eddie Rodriguez, the family member, who was legally carrying a firearm, perceived an imminent threat and fired a single shot, striking Ernest in the leg before he could draw or fire his own firearm. After being wounded, Ernest reportedly attempted to hide both the bookbag and firearm in his vehicle as officers arrived.
Police found Ernest inside his car and transported him to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center for treatment. He has since been charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Center. A judge later ruled that Ernest could be released on his own recognizance.
UPS issued a brief statement acknowledging the incident and directed further inquiries to local authorities, citing the active police investigation.
Understanding Self-Defense and Concealed Carry in Florida
Florida’s self-defense laws, including the “Stand Your Ground” provision, allow individuals to use force if they reasonably believe it’s necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm. Concealed carriers, in particular, are expected to act with caution and within the bounds of the law. In this incident, the lawful firearm owner responded to a direct threat and potentially prevented a tragic outcome.
Safety Tip: Always maintain situational awareness when carrying a firearm, especially in public or transitional spaces like parking lots. Knowing when and how to legally and safely respond to a threat is critical for any concealed carrier.
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