A chilling scene unfolded in Miami Gardens on Thursday night as a 32-year-old man allegedly counted down from five before delivering a fatal gunshot to an already wounded victim. The violence, which police say was captured on surveillance video, reportedly stemmed from an argument regarding a house pet.
Sylvester Grice-Jordan is now facing charges of second-degree murder and using a weapon while committing a felony following the death of Yasmany Rodriguez Fernandez.
Officers from the Miami Gardens Police Department arrived at the residence on the 3300 block of NW 177th Terrace just after 7 p.m. Upon arrival, they encountered Grice-Jordan standing outside holding a rifle. He complied with orders to drop the weapon, but officers discovered Fernandez deceased on the home’s porch, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
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According to the probable cause affidavit, the conflict began over a domestic issue. Grice-Jordan had been living at the home with Fernandez’s stepdaughter since April but was asked to move out earlier in the week due to ongoing issues. He vacated the property on December 15 but left his dog behind.
When family members contacted him to retrieve the animal—complaining that it was relieving itself inside the house—Grice-Jordan returned to the residence.
Investigators say the two men had a brief confrontation inside the home. While both men owned firearms, neither was holding a weapon during the initial indoor argument. Grice-Jordan then exited the house. Fernandez reportedly placed his own gun on a table inside before following Grice-Jordan out to the porch to continue the discussion.
Family members remaining inside the home—including the victim’s wife, stepdaughter, and an 8-month-old infant—heard a gunshot shortly after. Fernandez reportedly shouted that he had been hit and pleaded for his family to call 911, according to Local 10.
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Surveillance footage reviewed by detectives purportedly captured the grim final moments of the altercation. The video allegedly shows Grice-Jordan demanding the wounded victim’s keys and questioning why Fernandez had possessed a gun.
“The defendant then told the victim he had five seconds and started a countdown from five to one as he was still holding the rifle at the victim’s head as he laid on the ground shot,” the affidavit states.
Following the countdown, Grice-Jordan allegedly fired additional rounds into the victim.
Grice-Jordan was taken into custody and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where he remains held without bond. A court hearing is scheduled for Monday morning.
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