safety
Victim of assault on Miami Beach’s Beachwalk assault reflects on incident after 1 of 2 suspects is convicted
By Kevin Boulandier at WSVN 7 News
· July 9, 2026
· 2 min read
New video shows the moment two men assaulted a woman who was headed to work on Miami Beach, and now the victim is speaking out after one of her attackers was convicted. City of Miami Beach surveillance video, obtained exclusively by 7News, shows part of the crime that occurred April 9 along the Beac
Key takeaway City of Miami Beach surveillance video, obtained exclusively by 7News, shows part of the crime that occurred April 9 along the Beachwalk.
Why this matters in The Miami
The conviction of Misael Vargas for battery brings some measure of justice to Fay Ramlawi Benton, but it also raises questions about the effectiveness of the Miami-Dade criminal justice system in addressing repeat offenders. Miami Beach commissioners have long complained about a "revolving door" that allows individuals like Vargas and Christopher Martinez to cycle through the courts without facing meaningful consequences. The fact that Martinez's battery charge was dropped, only for him to be arrested again for disorderly conduct, underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach to public safety in Miami Beach. As the city continues to grapple with the challenges of policing a major tourist destination, it must also prioritize the well-being and safety of its residents and workers, like Ramlawi Benton, who are simply trying to go about their daily lives. Her daily commute now serves as a painful reminder of the attack.
About this story
Original reporting by WSVN 7 News . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSVN 7 News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: WSVN 7 News ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Miami stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? New video shows the moment two men assaulted a woman who was headed to work on Miami Beach, and now the victim is speaking out after one of her attackers was convicted. City of Miami Beach surveillance video, obtained exclusively by 7News, shows part of the crime that occurred April 9 along the Beac
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by WSVN 7 News and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kevin Boulandier at WSVN 7 News. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter