Mobile Car Mechanic Fatally Shoots Customer Armed With Machete During Attack

A mechanic in Hialeah, FL, was deemed to have acted in self-defense after a late-night altercation over a used tire escalated, resulting in a fatal shooting. The mechanic fired his firearm after being threatened with a machete.

HIALEAH, FL (1-minute read) — An early morning dispute in Hialeah took a violent turn when a disagreement over a tire repair ended with a fatal self-defense shooting. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday near West Second Avenue and 29th Street, where 36-year-old Michel Lope Montes de Oca had called a mobile tire service to repair his vehicle. The mechanic, 29-year-old Brandon Hurst, arrived and began work.

According to police reports, Montes de Oca became irate upon realizing that the tire installed on his vehicle was a used one, not a new replacement as he might have expected. The confrontation quickly escalated, with Montes de Oca allegedly brandishing a machete and advancing on Hurst. Fearing for his life, Hurst drew his firearm and discharged it, striking Montes de Oca multiple times.

Hurst was detained by authorities but was ultimately released after the Hialeah Police Department concluded that the shooting was a justified act of self-defense. The investigation revealed that Hurst acted only when threatened by Montes de Oca’s aggressive behavior, specifically the presence of a weapon.

Safety Tip: If carrying a firearm for self-defense, ensure you understand local laws governing justified use of force, and always aim to de-escalate situations when possible.