Man accused of pointing realistic-looking airsoft gun at driver during Miami parking dispute

MIAMI — A Miami man was arrested Thursday after police said he pointed what appeared to be a gun at another man and threatened to shoot him during a dispute over a parking space outside a Miami supermarket last month.

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According to an arrest report from the Miami Police Department, Ludvin Raul Gallopena, 40, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and improper exhibition of a weapon or firearmin connection with the Aug. 15 incident.

Police said officers responded shortly after 9 p.m. to the area of Northwest 17th Avenue and Northwest 30th Street, behind the Presidente Supermarket, following a report of an aggravated assault involving a firearm.

According to the arrest report, the victim told officers he was attempting to park when he became involved in a parking dispute with Gallopena.

The disagreement escalated into a verbal confrontation, during which Gallopena allegedly retrieved a black gun from his vehicle and pointed it at the victim, police said.

The victim told investigators that Gallopena threatened him, saying, “Hey, if I see you again, I’m gonna shoot you. You better not be around here.”

According to the report, the victim told officers he feared for his life.

Police said Gallopena then entered the supermarket and continued shopping before eventually leaving in a gray Honda Pilot.

Investigators later obtained recorded statements from the victim and a witness.

The witness told detectives that he had parked and apologized to Gallopena for taking his parking space, but Gallopena became angry and began arguing with him, according to the report.

The witness said he then asked the victim to speak with Gallopena.

At that point, Gallopena allegedly walked to the driver’s side of his vehicle, pulled out what appeared to be a gun and pointed it at the victim, the report states.

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On Aug. 18, detectives showed the witness a sequential photo lineup. Police said the witness identified Gallopena as the person who had pointed the gun at the victim.

Detectives located Gallopena near Northwest Seventh Avenue and Northwest 62nd Street on Thursday and transported him to the department’s Violent Crimes Office for questioning.

According to the report, Gallopena waived his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with investigators.

Police said Gallopena acknowledged getting into an argument with the victim at the Presidente Supermarket parking lot.

Gallopena told detectives that he brandished a black airsoft gun and pointed it at the victim because he was afraid, according to the report.

He also told investigators that the airsoft gun did not have an orange tip and looked like a real firearm, the report stated.

According to the arrest report, Gallopena acknowledged that what he did was wrong and said he should have stayed at the scene and contacted police.

As of Friday afternoon, Gallopena was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $5,500 bond.

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