Attempted murder suspect de Leon faces trial in Allapattah restaurant shooting

A Miramar man accused of attempting to murder a patron at an Allapattah restaurant is moving toward trial after his May 7 hearing, according to court records and Miami Police Department reports. Francisco Alexis de Leon, 36, faces multiple charges including attempted murder, shooting or throwing a deadly missile, using a firearm in the commission of a felony, unlawful discharge of a firearm and improper exhibition of a firearm stemming from the October 5, 2025 incident at Republica Food & Lounge, located at 1260 NW 36th St. According to the Miami Police Department incident report, de Leon got into an argument with the victim inside the restaurant before being asked to leave. Police say he then ran toward the victim, aimed a black handgun and fired, striking him. De Leon allegedly re-racked the firearm and attempted to shoot again, but the weapon malfunctioned, prompting him to flee in a white Toyota. The victim was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital with injuries. Detectives identified de Leon as the shooter using facial recognition software and confirmed he owned a Toyota Highlander, according to police records. The victim later identified de Leon from a photo lineup. De Leon surrendered to Miami Police on October 7, 2025, accompanied by an attorney, and was held without bond pending trial. The case comes as South Florida continues grappling with persistent public safety challenges. A fatal drunken driving crash involving a Cybertruck in Miami-Dade County and serial burglary rings highlight ongoing crime concerns across the region, according to law enforcement reports. Allapattah residents and business owners in the NW 36th Street corridor have experienced recurring violent incidents in recent years. The shooting at the restaurant raised questions about safety at commercial establishments in the neighborhood, though specific security measures or community response initiatives have not been publicly detailed by city officials or business operators.