OPA-LOCKA, FLA. (WSVN) - A 15-year-old girl has been hospitalized after, police said, she was shot twice in an Opa-locka neighborhood, Wednesday night.
Officials believe that the victim was not the intended target.
According to Opa-locka Police Chief James Dobson, the teen was shot in the arm and backside while walking along the 1300 block of Port Said Road, just before 8:30 p.m.
“Two different types of loud shots, but they were extremely loud, and they were like back to back,” said one witness, who did not wish to be identified. “It was like ‘bam, bam, bam, bam, bam,’ you know, back to back, so whoever it was, they were really trying to go after each other, and they were taking off as they were doing it. ”
Officials said the victim was walking in the neighborhood with four other minors between the ages of eight and 15 when they heard gunshots. The group took off running to a nearby house on Port Said Road, near Northwest 132nd Terrace.
It was then that they realized that one of them had been shot.
“Horrifying, scary, frightening. Even as an adult, that would frighten me. Just walking. I’m trying to go home, I have school tomorrow, and I hear gunshots,” said Dobson, “and then I see someone else being struck by a bullet. They’re in pain, so my concern is to get it to all of the listeners here: It’s time to put the weapons down.”
The teen was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Police said she was alert and talking. The injuries do not appear to be life-threatening, according to authorities.
Some of the victim’s classmates at Miami Central Senior High School spoke on the alarming situation.
“A shot is a shot, whether you get shot in the knee, leg, any place. A shot is a shot – that’s bad regardless,” said student Brandon Abenr. “I fear for my life now, just fear for my life.”
“Shooting somebody, period — you don’t do that,” said another student.
Investigators believe the shooter may have been on foot, but they have no description of the suspect. The victim did say that she saw two people with dark clothing and hoods walking towards them shortly before she was shot. Detectives have since gone door-to-door asking the public for information.
If you have any information on this shooting, 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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