Two South Florida men face hate-crime battery charges after Miami Beach water-gun incident, police allege

Arrests follow January incident in Mid-Beach involving alleged anti-Jewish slurs and a simulated firearm

Miami Beach police have arrested two South Florida men in connection with what investigators describe as a bias-motivated battery in Mid-Beach, after a Jewish man reported being targeted and sprayed in the face with an unknown liquid from a water gun during the early morning hours of January 11, 2026.

Police allege the incident occurred around 1:20 a.m. near the intersection of 41st Street and Collins Avenue, where the victim was standing with other members of the Jewish community. Investigators say the group was identifiable by religious attire, including yarmulkes.

According to the arrest documentation, a black sport-utility vehicle later identified as a 2017 Bentley Bentayga pulled up near the group. The victim told police he heard occupants of the vehicle shout obscenities, including the words “Jews! Jews!” Investigators allege a passenger then displayed a white, blue and orange water gun and discharged liquid that struck the victim and others in the face.

The victim reported believing the object could be a real firearm and said he feared for his safety.

How police say the suspects were identified

Investigators allege the vehicle returned to the same area approximately 30 to 40 minutes later, giving the victim an opportunity to photograph the license plate. Police later identified the occupants as Michael Dean Emerson, 19, of Coral Springs, and Dominic Angelo Martinez, 18, of Tamarac.

Authorities reported that Martinez was located in Miami on Thursday evening and taken into custody. Police said Martinez implicated Emerson as the person who sprayed the liquid. Investigators then had Emerson come to Miami Beach Police headquarters, where police say he confessed to spraying the victim, while disputing who shouted the slurs.

Charges and initial court processing

Both men were booked on one count each of battery with prejudice, a charge used in Florida when law enforcement alleges a battery was motivated by bias toward a protected characteristic such as religion. They were taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Jail and court listings showed a $5,000 bond for each defendant, with court appearances scheduled for Friday afternoon, February 20, 2026.

• Incident date alleged by police: January 11, 2026

• Location: 41st Street and Collins Avenue (Mid-Beach)

• Vehicle alleged: 2017 Bentley Bentayga

• Charges: Battery with prejudice (one count each)

The case remains in the early stages of the criminal process. The charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.