Magdiel Hernandez, a 38-year-old Hispanic male, was tragically shot and killed on July 11, 2017, in Miami, FL. Hernandez, an employee of AAA, was responding to a service call at the residence of Jesus Esquivel, a 63-year-old white male. The incident occurred in the Kendall area of Miami-Dade County. Hernandez had been dispatched to Esquivel's home to address an issue with a malfunctioning car battery.
Upon arrival, Hernandez was confronted by Esquivel, who was reportedly irate over the response time for the service call. Surveillance footage captured the moments leading up to the shooting, showing Hernandez pulling up to Esquivel's home before being approached and shot multiple times by Esquivel.
The altercation began when Esquivel, who had previously threatened another AAA technician over the phone, confronted Hernandez upon his arrival. Esquivel's anger stemmed from the perceived delay in service. The initial technician had requested to be removed from the call due to Esquivel's threats, leading to Hernandez being assigned to the job. When Hernandez arrived, Esquivel, who was armed, shot him in cold blood. The surveillance video also showed Esquivel beating Hernandez with a cane before calling 911. Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
Jesus Esquivel was arrested and charged with second-degree murder with a deadly weapon. He admitted to the crime under oath and was held at the Metro West Detention Center. Esquivel had a history of violent behavior, having been arrested in 2015 for pistol-whipping a man. The investigation revealed that Esquivel's actions were premeditated, as he had previously threatened the AAA technician who was initially assigned to the call. The case drew significant media attention due to the senseless nature of the crime and the fact that it was captured on surveillance video.
The legal proceedings against Esquivel included his confession to the shooting and his subsequent arrest. He was charged with second-degree murder, and the case was handled by the Miami-Dade Police Department's Homicide Bureau. The investigation confirmed that Hernandez was an employee of AAA and had been performing his duties when he was killed. The tragic incident highlighted the dangers faced by service workers and the potential for violence in seemingly routine situations. The case remains a somber reminder of the impact of anger and violence on innocent lives.
