The family of Emilio Humberto Rodriguez, the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue employee accused in a Halloween night road-rage shooting, is speaking publicly about the man they describe as a devoted father and longtime public servant. Rodriguez, 54, has worked for Miami-Dade County for 18 years and currently serves as a fire safety supervisor with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Court records show he has no prior criminal history, a fact his family emphasizes when discussing the October 31 incident that led to his arrest on attempted second-degree murder charges.
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, officers responded around 7:45 p.m. on October 31 to Northwest 87th Avenue and 64th Street following reports of a shooting during an apparent road-rage dispute. Investigators say Rodriguez and another driver, identified as 27-year-old Eury Cerda, exited their vehicles after a verbal exchange. Rodriguez allegedly pulled out a gun and fired, grazing Cerda's head. Cerda was treated at a local hospital and later released.
Rodriguez's family members describe him as fundamentally different from the person portrayed in news headlines following his arrest. "He's quiet, kind, soft spoken, and always the one helping others," said a relative who attended Rodriguez's daughter's Sweet 16 party just weeks before the incident. "We still can't believe this happened. He's the dad who shows up for everything — PTA meetings, school events, even dance rehearsals." His sister added, "Emilio isn't just a great dad, he was a great son to our mother. He would visit her literally twice a week and every weekend, making sure she had quality time with her grandkids."
During his bond hearing, Rodriguez's family joined via Zoom, along with a lieutenant from the fire department, to show support. His attorney argued that Rodriguez acted in self-defense after feeling threatened when the other man approached his car. The family maintains that Rodriguez "felt genuinely afraid for his life" in the confrontation that turned violent.
Little is publicly known about Cerda, though a Change.org petition circulating online describes him as a "deadbeat dad," a claim that has not been independently verified. For Rodriguez's family, the viral headlines have painted only part of the story. "People see a mugshot," another family member said, "but not the man who's been saving lives for 18 years. He's a great dad who made a split-second decision because he was scared. We just pray people remember that he's human too."
To help the family during this difficult time, Rodriguez's sister has organized a GoFundMe campaign to assist with household expenses while he is unable to work. "Many of you have been reaching out to offer assistance and support for my brother Emilio at this extremely difficult time," Mariela Porcello wrote. "If you could, please offer your generosity in helping us cover his monthly expenses. It would be a blessing indeed. We ask above all that you continue to pray for his strength and resilience as we navigate this unprecedented challenge." The family expressed their gratitude for the community's compassion and prayers, emphasizing their hope that the public will remember Rodriguez's long record of service and dedication to others.
