NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Rescue crews took five people to the hospital after, police said, they were shot in a residential neighborhood in Northwest Miami-Dade, Tuesday night.
Police responded to the scene of the shooting in the area of Northwest 18th Avenue and 86th Terrace, just after 8:15 p.m.
“At a single family residence where we identified five victims of gunshot wounds,” said Miami-Dade Police Detective Lee Cowart.
Investigators identified the victims as 22-year-old Taurean Neal, 20-year-old Jada Miller, 19-year-old Antwon Brown and 18-year-old Ulysses Britt. An unidentified 17-year-old victim was also injured in the shooting.
Jeffrey Humes, Miller’s uncle, said his niece was shot six times in her arms and legs.
“You know what kids do after Christmas,” Humes said. “You know, they gather at their friends’ house.”
They were standing outside when someone opened fire, and they scattered. “As far as we know, they were over at a friend’s house and somebody came up in a drive-by and started shooting,” said Humes.
“Our victims, once the shooting occurred, fled the scene, and that’s where I suspect that they ended up seeking medical attention,” said Cowart.
The victims scatted after the shooting, and minutes after the original call, two blocks away from the crime scene, another call came in related to the shooting.
Humes said the victims of the initial shooting remain in the hospital. Two of the victims had to undergo a second surgery, Wednesday, according to family members.
“Two of them are in surgery as we speak, but the rest of them are stable,” said Humes. “Thank God that everybody is OK.”
Neighbors who were too afraid to appear on camera told 7News they heard at least 20 shots. Some said they initially thought they were fireworks and only realized it was a shooting after they heard police sirens.
Police had blocked off several sections of the street as they investigated. They were seen searching for shell casings and interviewing neighbors.
“It’s a terrible, violent crime,” said Cowart. “There’s too much gun violence right now, and we’re trying to address that.”
Paramedics transported the victims to area hospitals. As of Wednesday, all victims are said to be in stable condition.
7News cameras captured paramedics taking four of the victims out of ambulances outside Jackson Memorial Hospital.
The 17-year-old victim is a Miami-Dade County Public Schoolss student. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho commented on the shooting, Wednesday morning, tweeting, “We cannot allow these actions to be tolerated in our neighborhoods. Cowardly silence kills. #SpeakUp.”
Devastating December. Two teenagers became the latest victims of unacceptable gun violence, along with 3 others last night. Another mass shooting in our community. We cannot allow these actions to be tolerated in our neighborhoods. Cowardly silence kills. #SpeakUp
— Alberto M. Carvalho (@LAUSDSup) December 27, 2017
Officials have not provided further details about the person or people behind this shooting or the circumstances leading up to the incident. It remains unclear whether the victims were the subjects’ intended targets.
“We just want, as a family, for the violence to stop,” said Humes. “That’s the most important thing. And anybody that did this – turn yourself in.”
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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