Man kills staffer at Clevelander on South Beach after being denied entry, police say
An employee at the Clevelander South Beach hotel died after being shot more than a half dozen times by a man he was trying to block from sneaking into the popular bar and restaurant early Friday morning, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
Police shortly later arrested 29-year-old Brandon Kortez Burris on 11th Street and Washington Avenue, based on witnesses who said they saw him pull the trigger. The victim was Dion David Moore, 50, who worked at the front desk of the hotel, according to an arrest report by Miami Beach Police Officer Mario Pena.
Police say Burris, who lives in North Miami, was denied entry at first near the pool area, then again as he tried to enter through the lobby to the hotel at 1020 Ocean Dr. When confronted by Moore, Burris tried punching the employee, but missed. The police report said Burris had been trying to sneak into the nightclub through the front lobby of the hotel.
Pena, who was able to view a video of the confrontation around 12:30 a.m. Friday from the hotel’s security camera system, said in his report that Burris then drew a pistol from his waistband and fired several shots into Moore, who collapsed. Burris is then seen running away, according to the report. Pena said that when police arrested Burris, he was carrying a handgun in his waistband that did not have a magazine.
The Clevelander released a statement Friday afternoon:
“We are devastated about the tragedy that occurred in the lobby of the Clevelander Hotel at approximately midnight on [Friday morning]. One of our valued employees needlessly lost his life. We are fully cooperating with the Miami Beach Police Department as it conducts a thorough investigation and defer to them for further comment. Our top priority is the safety and wellness of all guests and employees at the Clevelander Hotel.”
Miami Beach Police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez said medics had taken Moore to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Moore did not survive the multiple wounds.
Friday before noon, as the weekend revved up and music blared and visitors screamed from the neighboring Palace Bar, the Clevelander sat eerily still and quiet.
The pool bar area along 10th Street and Ocean Drive — which is usually packed and buzzing — was blocked off and empty. And the only people on couches outside the main hotel entrance along Ocean Drive were employees. A valet stood outside the hotel for an occasional guest who was leaving.
Daniel Aguilar, on vacation from Minneapolis, said he was on the second floor balcony of a condo adjacent to the Clevelander front entrance when he heard shots ring out. He didn’t see the interaction between the two men and only saw cones and tarps and emergency responders when he went downstairs.
It was Aguilar’s 42nd birthday. He said he headed over to Mango’s Tropical Cafe afterwards, but it wasn’t exactly a fun birthday.
“I never had this experience,” said Aguilar, who said he visits South Beach about twice a year. “Now I’m worried about security.”
Burris faces a second-degree murder charge. He could not be reached and it was not immediately clear if he had retained an attorney. His past encounters with police have been for traffic violations, according to South Florida records.
In Miami-Dade, he’s received nine traffic citations since 2017, including one for driving under the influence. In Broward, he was arrested in February 2020 on charges of DUI as a second offense, and DUI with damage to property.
According to an arrest report, Pembroke Pines police found him behind the wheel of a Dodge Challenger that had crashed into a median along Pembroke Road, destroying trees and vegetation. “The vehicle’s engine was running, the music was very loud, the gear shift was in drive and Burris was asleep at the wheel,” the report said.
Burris, who smelled strongly of alcohol and had glassy eyes, appeared to have come from a club — he had an entry wristband on, according to the report. He is still awaiting trial in Broward court.
