A Florida bus mechanic was caught on camera killing one of his co-workers at “point-blank range” with a gun he had hidden in his lunchbox, before dying in a shootout with police.
Police say Rafael Molina, 59, was seen on surveillance video ambushing and fatally shooting Warren Chambers, 42, as he finished his night shift at the Copans Regional Transportation Center in Broward County last Wednesday. .
“As we reviewed the video footage, you can see the suspect thinking, contemplating, and even planning what his next move would be,” said Broward County Sheriff Gregory Toney. He said this at a press conference on Friday.
“We determined that the individual went into some type of locker room, changed clothes, put on street clothes, and basically just waited.”
“He removed a firearm from his lunch box and as the victim came out of the room, he fired several shots at close range, knocking the victim down.”
After killing Chambers, Molina took out a hammer, destroyed her cell phone and “strategically” placed herself in an “ambush position” on an empty bus, waiting for police to arrive, Tony said. He said he was waiting.
Body camera footage shows at least six deputies running toward the bus and Molina firing at them, one of them yelling, “Move, move, move, move!” he was shouting.
After a few seconds, the deputy told others to “stand by” and said, “He’s down.”
A gun was found next to Molina’s body.
Toney said the gunman fired six shots at the deputies, who returned fire nearly 50 times.
“He decided to either die that day or kill as many people as possible.” [as possible]That includes law enforcement,” the sheriff said at a news conference Friday.
“Nobody expects us to come in here and negotiate with someone who is shooting an individual.”
The sheriff plans to commend the deputies for their bravery.
“I’m going to award the Medal of Honor to all three of them,” Tony said of Sgt. Noel Mercado, 44, Deputy Joseph Schabo, 31, and Deputy Richard DelGaudio, 33, are all on leave from the military.
“This is the most courageous thing I’ve ever seen.”
Molina is believed to have killed Chambers during an unspecified argument. NBC Miami reported. WSVN reports that officers are examining his shattered cell phone for clues as to a motive.
Chambers’ family said they were “deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved family member.”
“He was a devoted father, son, grandson, nephew, brother, cousin, friend and so much more to so many people.”Family said. said in a statement to NBC Miami.
“It was a gift to know him. It was a blessing to be loved and cherished by him.”
