MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - A grieving family is asking their community to come forward with information that will help police find those responsible for fatally shooting a young father and injuring his 1-year-old son.
The family of Miami Gardens resident Darin Williams Jr. consoled each other as they addressed reporters at a news conference held at the Miami Gardens Police Department headquarters, Thursday afternoon.
“We’re standing here as a family, but without help from the community, it can be your family,” said family member Latonia Brown.
Loved ones said they are hoping for justice so they can have some closure, but first they need help from area residents.
“This needs to stop. Our family’s in pain,” said Brown. “This is pain that will remain with us for the rest of our lives.”
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According to investigators, Williams and his son, Darin Williams III, were shot outside of their home on the 2300 block of Northwest 187th Street, July 23. Investigators said the 27-year-old father shielded the child from 47 bullets fired in their direction.
“It was like a barrage of ‘brrrrrr, pop, pop, pop, pop,'” said area resident Maxine Solie.
Brown said the boy is still alive because his father acted as a human shield.
“To protect his son. Yes, he did,” she said.
Paramedics took both victims to the hospital, where the elder Williams succumbed to his injuries.
“Darin should not have had to choose between his life and the life of his son,” said Brown.
7News cameras captured the front window of the victim’s house boarded up with plywood.
More than a week after Williams’ death, there are still no leads on the person who pulled the trigger.
“Please help us solve this case. We’re pleading with you as a family,” said Brown.
Williams had just graduated from Miami-Dade Fire Academy and was raising his son.
“He had a promising future,” said Brown. “He wasn’t a cancer to the society. He was something positive to society, and they took that from us, so we need this solved, we really need this solved. Any help we can get, we will take.”
After candlelit vigils and prayers, Miami Gardens Police officers and concerned residents went door-to-door and handed out fliers, hoping for answers.
“They just came and just shot them, and they didn’t care that he had a son,” said a resident.
Detectives said information from the community is the key that could help crack the case.
“Please talk to us,” said Miami Gardens Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt. “If you think you saw a car, if you think saw someone running from the scene. Whatever you think you saw, it may be just that piece of information that we need to solve this crime.”
As Williams III continues to recover, his family is hoping someone will come forward and point detectives in the right direction, so the culprits will be brought to justice.
“If you have any humanity, any empathy, please help us,” said Brown as the elder Williams’ mother broke down in tears next to her. “Darin was greatly loved. He meant everything to us. This mother has lost her child. They can’t bring her son back, and something has to be done.”
Police said they are looking for four men they believe fled the scene in a dark colored Honda Civic or Accord.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan has added $10,000 on top of the Crime Stoppers reward, bringing the total to $13,000.
If you have any information on this fatal shooting, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $13,000 reward.
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