NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have arrested two men for allegedly not coming forward with crucial information about the person responsible for the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old girl outside of a restaurant near Miami International Airport.
Ana Alvarez-Hernandez was fatally shot in the parking lot of 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant, located at 1395 NW 57th Ave., at around 2:45 a.m., Sunday.
On Friday, Miami-Dade Police confirmed that 20-year-old Loidel Gomez-Rouco and 22-year-old Mario Pedro Conley-Hernandez were arrested for allegedly knowing who the gunman was and that he had plans to leave the U.S., but they did not tell police.
“They witnessed the shooting. They knew exactly who committed the shooting and did not notify law enforcement,” said Miami-Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta.
According to investigators, the suspects were with the shooter in the parking lot when they got into an argument with another group of men.
Detectives said someone threw a bottle at the two suspects and two acquaintances who were with them.
“All of a sudden, a physical confrontation erupts and then, of course, gunshots were heard,” said Zabaleta.
In retaliation, police said, one of the suspects grabbed a rifle and fired warning shots into the ground.
A short time later, a third man grabbed the rifle and started to shoot into the crowd of about 50 people, sending everybody running.
Police said Alvarez-Hernandez was among those who ran to seek cover from the gunfire, but she was struck in the stomach by a stray bullet.
Her boyfriend and friends rushed her to the hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Police said the gunman and the other two suspects fled the scene and went home, unaware that the shooter had killed somebody until a day later.
It was at that point that, investigators said, the gunman decided to board a plane and leave the country.
Authorities confirmed through Immigration and Customs Enforcement that the gunman is no longer in the U.S.
Police said that’s information that Gomez-Rouco and Conley-Hernandez should have shared with police.
“They knew that this individual had intentions to leave the country and purposely failed to tell law enforcement, and as a result of that, this individual was able to leave,” said Zabaleta.
Police said they know who the gunman is and what country he is in but have not disclosed that information.
Gomez-Rouco and Conley-Hernandez were charged with accessory after the fact.
In court Friday, Conley-Hernandez’s attorney argued his client was a witness to the crime and shouldn’t face the charges against him.
“Being a witness to a crime does not make you a criminal. You just saw something happened,” said the attorney. “That’s all that happened with my client.”
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Gerald D. Hubbart decided to set a probable cause hearing for Saturday.
Gomez-Rouco has been sentenced to house arrest as long as he pays his bond and turns in his passport.
Police said they are working with authorities in the country that the shooter traveled to in order to locate him.
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 $3,000 reward.
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