NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida man is facing some serious charges after police arrested him in connection to the shooting of a 15-year-old in North Miami Beach.
Twenty-four-year-old Genesis Anderson appeared in bond court, Friday morning, hours after North Miami Beach Police officers took him into custody.
Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy Glazer read his charges. “You were arrested for serious charges: attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit attempted first-degree murder and possession of a firearm,” she said.
No bond was granted for each charge.
According to a tweet by North Miami Beach Police, Anderson was apprehended, Friday morning.
“With prayers and with a lot of hard work, we were able to arrest Mr. Anderson,” said North Miami Beach Police Maj. Rich Rand.
Police believe he’s responsible for the May 11 shooting of 15-year-old Melinda Michel, who remains hospitalized.
@myNMBPolice arrest made ref shooting of 15 YOA which occ on 5/11/17. Dets and PIO available after bond hearing @ MD Court House. pic.twitter.com/PuJ5s0TzCv
— North Miami Beach PD (@myNMBPolice) May 19, 2017
According to police, Anderson knew Michel for about five months, and Michel even considered him to be a friend until April, when they had a “falling out.”
Thursday night, Michel was in her bedroom when, police said, there was a knock at her front door.
The victim opened the front door, and detectives said, she was greeted by Anderson and someone else. After Anderson said something to her, police said, he shot her in the chest.
“For somebody to just come in and shoot her like that, that’s painful,” said Gina Pierre, the victim’s mother.
Michel, the youngest of four children and a North Miami Senior High School student, remains in intensive care and can barely speak.
Pierre provided 7News with cellphone video of Michel in her hospital bed. “She don’t have no problem with nobody,” she said.
Anderson denies that he was the person behind the shooting.
“We just ask that we continue with prayers for the family, for Melinda,” said Rand. “We’re here fighting for Melinda, and we need the community to help us.”
Anderson’s family, meanwhile, vehemently denied that he had anything to do with the shooting. His mother, who did not want to show her face on camera, said her son was not at Michel’s house at the time she was shot.
“Everybody heard the gunshot. That’s including my son and everybody who ran over to the house to see what had happened,” said Anderson’s mother.
Anderson’s sister said police have arrested the wrong man. “I don’t believe that Genesis would have done this to a young lady for no reason, no motive. There’s just no reason,” she said.
On Monday, Pierre said, Michel tried to share words of encouragement. “When she see me cry, she said, ‘Mommy, don’t cry. Be happy I’m alive. Don’t cry.’ She said, ‘Why? Why somebody do that to me?’ And I said to her, ‘Baby, thank God you’re alive.'”
NMBP are still searching for the second person who accompanied Anderson. If you have any information on that subject’s whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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