AAA Service Tech Killed Over Poor Response Time: Police

KENDALL, FL — Slain AAA service technician Magdiel Hernandez was killed over nothing more than poor response time for a dead battery, according to Miami-Dade police. Sixty-three-year-old Jesus Esquivel was charged with second-degree murder after allegedly shooting the 38-year-old technician multiple times on Tuesday. Police said another service technician asked to be taken off the call before Hernandez was gunned down.

Hernandez, 38, of Pinecrest was shot multiple times around 3:18 p.m. at Esquivel's home in the 9900 block of SW 87th Court, according to the Miami-Dade Police Department. (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Pinecrest Patch.)

Hernandez took over the service call for another AAA Roadside Service tech who was apparently threatened by Esquivel prior to the shooting.

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"The responding technician called the defendant to inform him that he was on his way, at which time the defendant became irate due to the time delay," according to arrest documents made public on Wednesday. "The defendant made verbal threats to the technician prior to the call terminating."

Police said Hernandez wound up with the call.

"The technician contacted his dispatch center and requested to be removed from the call for service due to the defendant's threats," arrest documents stated. "The service call was then issued to a different technician who ultimately responded to the defendant's residence."

AAA spokesperson Montrae Waiters said the organization was still "gathering all the facts" on Wednesday morning and was not immediately prepared to comment.

"According to investigators, shortly after 3 p.m., uniform officers responded to a 9-1-1 call of a male shot," Detective Argemis Colome of the Miami-Dade Police Department told Patch Tuesday evening. "Officers arrived on scene and discovered the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, they made contact with a second male on the scene who was uncooperative and requested to be transported to the hospital."

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue pronounced Hernandez dead on the scene.

He was shot multiple times in the torso.

"Preliminary investigation revealed that a verbal altercation ensued between the two males resulting in the fatal shooting," Colome explained.

Police said Esquivel was taken to Baptist Hospital and treated for an undisclosed medical condition.

They said he confessed to the shooting.

"The defendant confronted the technician and began to shoot at him multiple times," arrest documents stated.

To report a tip, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866-471-8477, visit crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip" or text "CSMD" followed by the tip to 274637.

Jesus Esquivel booking photo courtesy of Miami-Dade Police Department