?
MIAMI (WSVN) — A 10-year-old boy is out of the hospital after he and his 17-year-old cousin became victims to a drive-by shooting in Miami.
Seventeen-year-old James Leak is still at Jackson Memorial Hospital while 10-year-old Ekari Godwin was discharged Wednesday. The boys’ family said both are in good condition, and they expect Leak to be released soon. They also said the boys are in good spirits. “[Godwin] is gonna be good,” said Trayon Godwin, Ekari’s brother and James’ cousin. “He’s gonna go back to football.”
Leak was shot multiple times in the abdomen, while Godwin suffered a gunshot to the leg. “I ain’t even know I was shot,” said Godwin, who was walking with a limp. The young boy said the shooting happened very fast.
It occurred Tuesday outside of a duplex located at 5731 N.W. 5th Ave. in Miami just before noon. “The call came in at 11:40 a.m.,” said City of Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll, “and we headed for multiple people that were shot here, but as fire rescue arrived and multiple police officers, we identified we had two boys shot.”
According to police, the suspected shooter pulled up to the house, entered and then left with a gun. Upon returning to his vehicle, the suspect approached the boys and some other children. “There was a crowd of juveniles playing in the street,” said Miami Police Officer Frederica Burden, “and some people came up, a few words were exchanged and the shooting began.”
“The kids were sitting outside and, all of a sudden, two guys walked up, started shooting,” said Stephanie Symonette, Godwin’s aunt.
Symonette spoke out on not just her concern for her nephew, but her concern for the violence in her family’s neighborhood as she anxiously waited outside the hospital. “Right now, this is just a waiting game, and it’s real hard because, about a year ago, his oldest brother was shot on the town, and now he’s paralyzed,” she stated, referring to Trayon Godwin who needs a wheelchair to get around, “so this is just too much. It’s just too much. These children have got to stop.”
Symonette could not believe somebody would want to hurt the young boy. “He’s 10 years old, and he’s a good kid. I’m not one of those parents that get on and say, ‘Hey, look, he’s a good kid,’ but he is a good kid,” she emphasized. “It’s just too much.”
Leake’s mother, Pamela James, was just as disappointed. “I am angry,” James stated. “The violence really needs to stop. I don’t know what’s going on with these little kids nowadays, but it really needs to stop because if not, it’s gonna keep going on and on … No idea [who did this].”
Officials are still unsure if the boys, who are cousins, were the intended targets in the shooting. Godwin’s mother doesn’t know the motive for the shooting, either. “I have no idea. I know they were outside playing,” Latonya Fussell said.
Police have not yet released a description of the vehicle or how many passengers were in it at the time of the shooting. “[We’re] almost positive the offenders are juveniles,” said Burden, “but as far as the motive on this shooting, we’re not exactly sure at this point.”
Back at the hospital, Godwin’s cousin said he noticed the 10-year-old on television. “I just saw it on the news this morning. I didn’t even know it had happened yesterday,” said Ronald King. “I saw the picture, but it ain’t look like it was him. When I saw him on the news rolling in a wheelchair, I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s him. I gotta go.'”
If you have any information on this shooting or can identify the suspect(s), call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.