Police say both men were on boats off Dinner Key when a dispute arose over personal belongings.
An altercation between two members of Coconut Grove’s liveaboard community turned violent late Monday afternoon when one man was shot and another smashed in the head with a flashlight. The shooting victim’s identify – and condition – has not been released.
Miami Police say the incident began when the shooting victim returned to his boat and discovered items he recognized as belonging to an acquaintance, Joseph Woodward. After rowing his dinghy to Woodward’s boat and tossing the belongs aboard, Woodward emerged from below deck with a rifle and fired three shots at the victim, hitting him once in the abdomen and grazing his forearm and head, according to police.
As the injured victim rowed away, Woodward dropped the rifle and gave chase in his own dinghy. As the boats met, Woodward grabbed the victim by the shirt and a scuffle ensued. The injured man escaped by boat after striking Woodward in the head with a flashlight.
After rowing to shore near Miami City Hall the victim called police. He was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.
Early Monday evening, Miami Police marine patrol units boarded Woodward’s vessel and with the help of his girlfriend – who police say was asleep below deck during the shooting – helped positively identify him, leading to his arrest.
Woodward was treated for his head injury at Jackson Memorial Hospital before being transferred to Turner Guilford Correctional Center. He is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and displaying a firearm while committing a felony.
