Gunman stopped shooting his ex ‘believing she was deceased,’ Coral Springs cops say
New details have emerged in the April 16 shooting at a Coral Springs strip mall, including key information on the shooter and the victim’s background.
Abdul Perez, 49, was arrested and charged with crimes related to an alleged attempt to murder his former domestic partner, identified as Mirtha Sanchez-Teran.
According to Perez’s arrest report, the couple, along with Sanchez-Teran’s two teenage daughters, lived together from September through April 2. This places Sanchez-Teran in one of the most dangerous time periods for women who leave their abusers.
Because Perez was familiar with Sanchez-Teran and her children’s schedules, the arrest report continued, he was able to find and target them.
“It should be noted that the defendant was observed in the area of 7305 W. Sample Road approximately one hour prior to the incident, waiting in the vicinity,” police wrote.
Sanchez-Teran had just picked up her younger daughter from Coral Springs High School, according to Broward court records, when Perez struck her Lexus RX350 with his work truck, a Nissan NV1500, behind a strip mall in the 7600 block of W. Sample Road, near McDonald’s and Fine Furniture.
Police allege that Perez exited his vehicle and used a black semi-automatic handgun to shoot Sanchez-Teran until “apparently believing she was deceased.” Bullets struck her shoulders, chest, abdomen and face.
How he acquired the firearm is unknown, as he has been barred from using or owning one since 2009 under an unrelated domestic violence injunction, according to the arrest report.
First responders provided life-saving aid and transported Sanchez-Teran to Broward Health North, where she told detectives that Perez was the attacker. Multiple eyewitnesses confirmed her statements, police said.
Perez was apprehended by police and denied that he was involved in the shooting, despite his personal belongings being “in plain view” in the truck used to strike Sanchez-Teran’s vehicle. He also denied knowing Sanchez-Teran, though detectives noted in the report that he “became visibly emotional when [Sanchez-Teran] and her daughters were mentioned.”
Based on the physical evidence, video footage and eyewitness accounts, the report states that police believe he committed a “deliberate, malicious, and premeditated attack.”
Perez faces multiple felony charges, including attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, evidence tampering and illegal possession of a firearm.
As of April 17, Sanchez-Teran was “ in stable condition under the care of medical professionals at Broward Health North,” according to a Coral Springs Police Department news release.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Luis Atiles at 954-346-1219 or lartiles@coralsprings.gov.
Research shows that the period following a breakup can be the deadliest for those leaving an abusive relationship. Analysis by the U.S. Justice Department shows that three quarters of domestic violence homicides occur within a year of separation.
You deserve to feel safe. If you have concerns about your or a loved one’s relationship, resources are available. MyPlan is a free, secure, research-backed app to help with safety decisions and connect you to additional help.
Local resources include Women in Distress of Broward County (954-761-1133) the Broward State Attorney’s Office Domestic Violence Unit and the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-500-1119).
