WSVN — He was a 15-year-old kid with his whole life in front of him, but one night a stranger in a Jeep took it all away. And, as Patrick Fraser tells us on tonight’s Out for Justice, Fort Lauderdale detectives are still trying to find his killer.
If there was music playing, Justin Flowers would probably be moving.
Diana Castro, Justin’s sister: “He used to tell me what he wanted to be when he grew up. He said he wanted to be a famous artist who could sing and dance and everything.”
Like any 15-year-old, Justin loved to take selfies, loved to play around and loved to make others smile.
Diana Romero, Justin’s mother: “Justin was a beautiful soul. He loved family, and every time I come from work, he was one of the ones who come to the door to ask me how was my day.”
In February 2014, Justin asked his mother for permission to go with his older brother to a party. She said yes. At one o’ clock in the morning, Justin called and asked Diana to come pick him up.
Diana Romero: “I just say, ‘Don’t worry, baby. I’m on my way. Mommy is on her way.’ Those were the last words I say to him.”
A few seconds later, Justin and his brother headed across Broward Boulevard.
Fort Lauderdale Police Detective Tracy Figone: “Justin was crossing the street, and a vehicle was heading westbound on West Broward. Justin was in the middle of the road when the vehicle struck him and continued.”
Diana was already on the way to pick Justin up. Instead, she wound up at the hospital.
Diana Romero: “A doctor came and told me, ‘I’m so sorry. He passed away.’ And then I — I start, you know, grabbing the doctor, telling him, ‘No, that cannot be true. Can you please do something?'”
Justin had been hit right in front of the Broward Sheriff’s Office. His brother had already crossed the street, but Justin had waited in the median for the older, dark-colored Jeep to pass by. Instead, the driver slammed into him and never slowed down, just took off.
Diana Romero: “He can hide from us, but he cannot hide from God, you know. God knows who it is. God knows where this person is.”
But finding the driver has not been easy. As Fort Lauderdale Police searched for that person the day of the hit-and-run, family and friends held a vigil, praying for Justin and pleading for someone who saw the Jeep to step forward.
A year has passed since that February 9th day, but no good tips have come in.
Detective Tracy Figone: “If, in that time frame, you had neighbors or saw someone in your community that had a Jeep Cherokee matching that description and possibly having damage to the front, you could give us that information.”
As police wait for clues, Diana waits for closure. She might give Justin’s clothes to someone who needs them, but she is keeping his room just as it would have been if he had made it home that February night.
Diana Romero: “I’m not going to give up, and that’s what I told the detective in this case. I’m not going to give up.”
And Detective Figone is not giving up, either. Take a look at this Jeep. Think back to February of last year. Did you see one like this, that might have had some front-end damage?
Detective Tracy Figone: “Even if you don’t think it’s anything, tell us, and let us, you know, follow up on it and see if it turns into anything.”
Let police check it out. Call Crime Stoppers. And if you have lost a loved one and want to remind people you are still out for justice, give us a call. With this Out for Justice, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.
CONTACT OUT FOR JUSTICE:
Miami-Dade: 305-598-HELP (4357)
Broward: 954-796-HELP (4357)