2 FIU football players hospitalized after drive-by shooting in Opa-locka

OPA-LOCKA, FLA. (WSVN) - Officials have transported two Florida International University football players injured in a double shooting in Opa-locka.

Opa-locka Police and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue were dispatched to a drive-by shooting in the area of Northwest 26th Avenue and 140th Street, just after 2:30 p.m., Thursday.

Officials said running back Anthony Jones was shot in the face and back and was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital as a trauma alert. Offensive lineman Mershawn Miller was shot in the arm and treated on scene.

“A dark gray Nissan Sentra in the years between 2015 and 2017, driving eastbound,” Opa-locka Police Chief James Dobson said, “firing a handgun, around 15 rounds of a 9mm handgun and continued to travel eastbound and left the scene.”

Family and friends were gathered outside JMH sporting FIU Football clothing as Miller was released from the hospital late Thursday.

“My son is still alive, and whoever did this, just please come forward,” Miller’s mother Kia Thomas said.

“You did this to somebody trying to work harder, trying to make something for himself,” Miller’s father Emerson Miller added. “They’re good, great kids. They’re gonna be something special and the Lord kept them here for a reason.”

Jones comes from a family of football standouts. His brother Dalvin Cook is a running back for the Minnesota Vikings. His other brother James Cook is a running back for the University of Georgia.

FIU’s head football coach Butch Davis released a statement that reads in part, “When you hear the news that we received today your heart drops. We’ve been receiving encouraging reports on their conditions and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Anthony Jones and Mershawn Miller during this time.”

FIU is scheduled to face Old Dominion in Norfolk, Virginia this Saturday.

If you have any information on this drive-by 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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