Repo Chase Leads to Gunfire in Miami Gardens

Tow truck struck multiple times as armed vehicle owner allegedly pursued the recovery and opened fire before being taken into custody.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – July 7, 2026 – What began as a routine vehicle repossession Monday evening quickly escalated into a life-threatening confrontation after a South Florida man allegedly chased a repossession agent and opened fire on his tow truck as he fled the scene.

According to the Miami Gardens Police Department, officers responded shortly after 6:10 p.m. to an Exxon station near Northwest 167th Street and 17th Avenue following reports of shots fired. Investigators arrested 39-year-old Lawrence Hilbert Morant, who now faces multiple felony charges stemming from the incident.

Police say the repossession agent had arrived at Morant’s residence in the 16000 block of Northwest 21st Court shortly before 6 p.m. to lawfully repossess a black Ford F-150. By the time Morant realized the recovery was underway, the truck had already been secured to the tow truck and was being pulled away.

According to investigators, Morant ran from the residence, yelling profanities and attempting to stop the recovery. The repossession agent continued driving to avoid a confrontation.

A short distance away, the recovery agent briefly stopped to further secure the repossessed pickup. Police say Morant caught up with the tow truck and again demanded the return of his vehicle. Fearing for his life, the agent got back into the truck and drove away.

Investigators allege that is when Morant produced a handgun and “intentionally fired numerous rounds toward the occupied tow truck”.

Several bullets struck the recovery vehicle, damaging it as the repossession agent fled. According to the arrest report, the driver later told investigators he believed he was about to be killed or seriously injured.

The repossession agent drove to a nearby Exxon station, where he called 911 and sought cover after realizing Morant had allegedly followed him to the location.

Responding officers arrested Morant at the scene and recovered the handgun believed to have been used during the shooting.

Investigators say surveillance cameras from nearby homes captured much of the incident, including footage that allegedly shows Morant firing multiple rounds at the occupied tow truck as it drove away. Detectives also recovered spent shell casings and other physical evidence that they say corroborated the victim’s account. The tow truck sustained multiple bullet strikes.

Repo Chase leads to Gunfire in Miami Gardens — Accused shooter – Lawrence Hilbert Morant, 39

According to police, Morant later waived his Miranda rights and provided a statement to investigators. Details of that confession were redacted from the publicly released arrest report.

Morant has been charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, shooting or throwing a deadly missile, and criminal mischief while armed. As of Tuesday morning, he remained in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center awaiting the setting of bond.

The incident marks yet another example of the growing number of violent confrontations occurring during lawful vehicle recoveries, reinforcing the ever increasing dangerous environment facing recovery professionals all across the nation.