MIAMI BEACH, FL – Two men miraculously escaped serious injury after their vehicle was riddled with bullets in a dramatic drive-by shooting on Miami Beach. The incident occurred Saturday evening, and the victims are now opening up about their harrowing experience.
Ari Riva, one of the victims, was hit in the shoulder during the attack. He and his father, who were visiting from Israel, were driving on Alton Road when they were suddenly targeted. According to police, 27-year-old Mordecai Brafman fired 17 shots at their car, leaving it peppered with bullet holes.
Riva, with the help of his cousin translating, recounted the terrifying ordeal. “It was just a random attack,” he said, describing how the shooter pulled alongside their vehicle and opened fire. Despite being shot, Riva managed to keep control of the car as bullets whizzed past, narrowly missing his father, who he feared had been hit in the head.
Surveillance footage captured the aftermath, showing the two men seeking help at a nearby business. A security guard quickly came to their aid and called 911, ensuring the victims received prompt medical attention.
Brafman was arrested shortly after the shooting. In a statement to detectives, he claimed he thought he saw Palestinians and intended to kill them, though he did not know the victims personally. The father and son expressed gratitude for their survival, calling it a miracle that neither was seriously hurt.
The suspect now faces charges of second-degree attempted murder. The victims have since returned to Israel, thankful for the quick response from the local community and law enforcement.