Family of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Employee Speaks Out Following Halloween Road-Rage Shooting Incident

The family of Emilio Humberto Rodriguez, the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue employee accused in a Halloween night road-rage shooting, is speaking publicly about the incident that has drawn significant media attention. Rodriguez, 54, has worked for Miami-Dade County for 18 years and currently serves as a fire safety supervisor with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Court records indicate he has no prior criminal history, a fact his family emphasizes when discussing his character and long-standing commitment to public service.

Family members describe Rodriguez as a quiet, kind, and soft-spoken individual who has dedicated his life to helping others both professionally and personally. A relative who attended Rodriguez's daughter's Sweet 16 party just weeks before the incident noted that he is the father who consistently shows up for important family events, including PTA meetings, school functions, and dance rehearsals. His sister added that Rodriguez was also a devoted son who visited their mother twice weekly and every weekend, ensuring she had quality time with her grandchildren.

According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, officers responded around 7:45 p.m. on October 31 to Northwest 87th Avenue and 64th Street following reports of a shooting during an apparent road-rage dispute. Investigators state that Rodriguez and another driver, identified as 27-year-old Eury Cerda, exited their vehicles after a verbal exchange. Rodriguez allegedly pulled out a gun and fired, grazing Cerda's head. Cerda received treatment at a local hospital and was later released, while Rodriguez was arrested on charges of attempted second-degree murder.

During his bond hearing, Rodriguez's family joined via Zoom along with a lieutenant from the fire department to show their support. His attorney argued that Rodriguez acted in self-defense after feeling threatened when the other man approached his vehicle. Little public information exists about Cerda, though a Change.org petition circulating online describes him as a deadbeat dad, a claim that has not been independently verified.

Rodriguez's family expressed concern that viral headlines have presented only part of the story, noting that people see a mugshot but not the man who has been saving lives for 18 years. They describe him as a great father who made a split-second decision because he felt genuinely afraid for his life, emphasizing that he is human and deserves compassion given his long record of service. To help the family during this difficult period, Rodriguez's sister has organized a GoFundMe campaign to assist with household expenses while he is unable to work.

The family expressed gratitude for the community's compassion and prayers, highlighting their hope that the public will remember Rodriguez's dedication to others and his consistent record of service. This case raises important questions about how public servants are perceived during legal proceedings and the complex nature of self-defense claims in high-stress situations. The incident also underscores the potential consequences of road-rage confrontations and the importance of de-escalation techniques in potentially volatile situations involving trained first responders.