A Florida woman is facing an aggravated battery charge after authorities say she shot her adult son in the thigh outside a popular Miami restaurant on Christmas Day.
Roseita Smith, 50, was arrested Thursday, Dec. 25, according to online court records.
Miami police responded to the Red Rooster around 5:30 p.m. after receiving a report of a shooting, according to an arrest affidavit. When officers arrived, they found the victim on the ground with a bleeding wound to his left thigh, the affidavit states.
The victim was taken to the hospital, where he told investigators he had been inside the restaurant with his mother when she became upset, accusing him of behaving disrespectfully, according to the affidavit.
Police say the two then left the restaurant and continued arguing as they got into Smith’s vehicle. The victim told investigators that Smith pulled out a gun, prompting him to get out of the car.
“Once outside the vehicle, [Smith] discharged a single round, striking the victim in the left thigh,” the affidavit alleges. Investigators say Smith fled immediately after the shot was fired.
Smith was later taken into custody by the Miami Domestic Violence Felony Apprehension Team.
During questioning, Smith allegedly said her son threatened to beat her while inside the vehicle and refused to leave. She told investigators she stepped out to get help, but he followed her and “continued making threats to assault her,” according to the affidavit.
Smith claimed she acted in self-defense and said her son’s past behavior made her fear for her safety.
Court records show Smith entered a not guilty plea on Dec. 26. A pre-trial detention hearing is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 29.
Her attorney could not be reached for comment.
