73-year-old convicted felon arrested in connection with fire and shooting at Miami apartment building

A 73-year-old man previously convicted of murder was arrested Monday in connection with a high-alarm fire and shooting at the Temple Court Apartments in Miami.

Juan Francisco Figueroa, who was identified by witnesses as a resident of the building, was charged with attempted premeditated murder, first-degree arson and possession of a firearm, according to a police report from the City of Miami Police Department.

The fire broke out around 8:15 a.m. Monday on the third floor of the four-story apartment building, officials said. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found a man with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Police identified the victim as Feder Biotte.

A witness and resident of the building told a detective he heard “loud noises that he recognized as gunshots” and found Biotte on the first floor with a wound to his abdomen, the police report said. He said Biotte told him in Spanish, “307, the one from 307.”

The witness also said he saw an explosion after the shots were fired. What happened before Biotte was shot is currently unclear.

Another witness and resident told investigators he heard loud noises as he walked down a flight of stairs. He reported seeing Figueroa, who he also identified as a resident of apartment 307, walk past him and leave the building.

Figueroa was arrested at around 3:56 p.m. by police officers who stopped his car. During an interview with detectives, Figueroa said, according to the arrest report, “He knew what he had done and expected to spend the rest of his life in prison.”

Officers found a pistol and live ammunition on Figueroa.

Police said Figueroa was previously convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault. Police did not release further details about those charges, including when they were committed.

The 73-year-old was admitted to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Tuesday, according to online records. It is currently unclear whether he has an attorney.