Video shows argument between former best friends ending in shooting in North Miami Beach

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Florida. – A newly released video shows an argument between former best friends that ended in gunfire – and an arrest on attempted murder charges.

Authorities arrested Litvinochy Erick Hermantin, 21, a few weeks after the Sept. 7 shooting near the 1800 block of Northeast 169th Street.

The victim told police that he had known Hermantin since eighth grade and that the two were like brothers for about six years before their relationship finally fell apart.

According to an arrest report, the victim told investigators that after an argument with Hermantin in January 2023, the suspect began sending him threatening messages, which led to increasing tensions between the former friends.

On the evening of September 6, police said the victim received additional threatening messages from Hermantin via Instagram.

According to the victim, Hermantin, who was 20 years old at the time of the incident, demanded a fight and initially told him to meet at Greynolds Park. However, when the victim refused, Hermantin directed him to come to his apartment complex near the 1600 block of Northeast 18th Avenue.

According to authorities, the victim drove to Hermantin's apartment around 5 a.m. on September 7, where he remained in his car while Hermantin stood on the sidewalk.

The report states that video evidence provided to investigators by the victim showed Hermantin holding a gun in his right hand and recording himself with a cellphone in his left hand.

Police said the victim, who also recorded the encounter on his cellphone, repeatedly told Hermantin to put the gun down and fight him “like a man.”

As the confrontation continued, authorities said Hermantin was seen on the victim's cell phone video footage approaching the victim's vehicle while holding the gun.

At one point, police said Hermantin retreated to the sidewalk and fired a single shot at the victim. The bullet struck the victim in the left thigh and in the video the victim can be heard explaining that he had been shot and needed to go to the hospital, investigators said.

Police said the victim drove himself home despite the shooting and believed he could treat the injury himself. After several hours, around 8 a.m., authorities said the victim contacted a friend to take him to the hospital, where medical personnel treated his gunshot wound.

Officers later arrested Hermantin.

Hermantin faces one count each of attempted murder with a firearm, aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, illegal discharge of a firearm outdoors in a recreational or residential area and illegal carrying of a concealed weapon .