MIAMI-DADE (Le Floridien) – A Haitian-born man in Miami-Dade County is facing serious criminal charges after authorities said he tried to kill his wife twice in the same day, first by allegedly placing a pillow over her head while she was sleeping, and later by allegedly pointing a gun at her head and pulling the trigger.
The suspect, identified in court records as 66-year-old Fael Francois, works as a security guard. According to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest report, the woman managed to fight back during the first alleged attack and escape. But investigators said Francois later confronted her again with a firearm and allegedly told her, “Today, you are going to die.”
Authorities said Francois pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire because the magazine was not inserted. The woman was able to run from the house and hide behind a shed in the backyard, where she called 911 for help.
Deputies later detained Francois and arrested him early Saturday morning at the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Northside District Station. He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where he remained as of Monday afternoon, according to inmate records.
Francois is facing several charges in two cases, including attempted murder with a firearm, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated battery, battery, and resisting arrest without violence. A judge denied him bond on the attempted murder charge.
A Painful Reminder of a Problem Too Often Kept Silent
This disturbing case has raised concern among many in the Haitian community, where domestic violence is still too often treated as a private family matter rather than a public safety issue.
In many immigrant communities, including the Haitian community, victims may remain silent because of fear, shame, financial dependence, immigration concerns, religious pressure, or worries about what others will say. Too often, women suffer behind closed doors until the situation becomes dangerous or even deadly.
Community leaders, churches, social organizations, and the media must do more to speak openly about domestic violence and encourage victims to seek help before it is too late. No cultural value, family problem, financial pressure, or personal conflict can justify violence against a spouse.
The charges against Francois remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. But the case serves as a serious warning that domestic violence must not be ignored in the Haitian community or anywhere else.
Victims of domestic violence should call 911 if they are in immediate danger. They can also seek confidential help through local domestic violence organizations and hotlines.
