Miami Gardens man arrested after allegedly chasing, shooting at repossession agent, cops say

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A Miami Gardens man was arrested Monday after police said he allegedly chased a repossession agent and fired multiple rounds at the agent’s tow truck during an attempted vehicle repossession.

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According to an arrest report, officers with the Miami Gardens Police Department responded around 6:10 p.m. to the Exxon gas station at Northwest 167th Street and 17th Avenue after receiving reports about a shooting.

Police identified the suspect as 39-year-old Lawrence Hilbert Morant.

According to the report, the victim, who works as a repossession agent, arrived at Morant’s home in the 16000 block of Northwest 21st Court shortly before 6 p.m. to “lawfully” repossess Morant’s black Ford F-150.

The report states the agent secured the truck to a tow vehicle and began driving away.

Police said Morant “observed the repossession in progress, ran outside and attempted to interfere with the lawful recovery of the vehicle.”

By the time he reached the driveway, the truck had already been secured to the tow truck, according to the report.

The report states Morant chased the tow truck on foot while yelling profanities and threatening the driver.

The repossession agent continued driving away because he feared having a confrontation with the suspect, police said.

A short distance away, the repossession agent stopped to further secure the vehicle when Morant allegedly confronted him again, demanding the return of his truck, the report states.

The victim then reentered the tow truck and drove away because he “feared for his life,” according to police.

Police said Morant then pulled out a handgun and “intentionally fired numerous rounds toward the occupied tow truck.”

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Several bullets struck the vehicle, causing damage, according to the report. The repossession agent told investigators he believed he was about to be killed or seriously injured as he fled, the report stated.

Police said the victim drove to a nearby Exxon gas station to seek help and call 911.

According to the report, the victim exited the tow truck and took cover after seeing Morant had followed him to the gas station.

Officers arrived at the gas station and arrested Morant at the scene, the report states.

Police said they recovered the handgun that was allegedly used in the shooting.

According to the report, surveillance video from nearby homes captured a large portion of the incident and showed Morant firing multiple rounds at the occupied tow truck as the victim drove away.

Investigators said they also recovered spent shell casings and other physical evidence that police said corroborated the victim’s account. They said the tow truck sustained multiple bullet strikes.

Authorities said Morant later waived his Miranda rights and was interviewed by investigators. Police said he made a confession that was redacted from the publicly released report.

Jail records show Morant is facing one count each of aggravated assault with a firearm, shooting or throwing a deadly missile and criminal mischief while armed.

As of Tuesday morning, he was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond was listed as “to be set.”

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