Police say they've arrested the man who shot a woman in the face during an armed robbery in Miami Thursday night.



Kamiah Lanier, 20, was arrested just eight hours after the robbery and shooting outside Cafe Ruyi at 5300 NW 7th Ave., Miami Police said Friday.



Lanier is charged with attempted murder, armed robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and using a firearm during the commission of a felony.

He denied having anything to do with the robbery or shooting, according to an arrest affidavit.

Police found a black Iver Johnson firearm in Lanier's possession, the affidavit said.



Police say the victim, identified by her sister as 36-year-old Evelin Matamoros, had left the restaurant and was walking to her car when she was confronted by the suspect, who demanded her purse.



She complied and handed over the purse but the suspect shot her in the face anyway before fleeing the scene.



Matamoros was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition late Thursday. Police said Friday that she's in stable condition and is expected to survive.

Police described Lanier as a "career criminal" and court records showed arrests for battery and attempted armed robbery.

“This man has a violent past. And not only are we cleaning the streets from people like this, but we also recovered a firearm," police spokeswoman Officer Kenia Reyes said.



Lanier was being held without bond Friday and it was unknown whether he has an attorney.

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