MIAMI (WSVN) - Police are searching for the person or people behind a brazen drive-by shooting in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood that left one man dead and sent his girlfriend to the hospital.
Loved ones consoled one another in front of Jackson Memorial Hospital, Sunday night, after the mother of 21-year-old Delquan Piggat learned he did not survive.
City of Miami Police and Fire Rescue units responded to the scene near Northwest Seventh Avenue and 10th Street, just before 3:15 p.m.
Investigators said the victims were walking along the street when someone from inside a vehicle opened fire.
“The male victim and the female victim were walking in the area of 935 Northwest Seventh Avenue,” said Miami Police Officer Kiara Delva.
Responding officers found both victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Paramedics transported Piggat to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition. At around 10 p.m., police confirmed he had succumbed to his injuries.
Crews took the woman injured in the shooting to JMH in stable condition. She is expected to be OK
Loved ones said she was Piggat’s girlfriend.
“We need answers on why. Why?” Piggat’s mother said, voice cracking with tears.
Piggat’s mother said she has now lost two sons to gun violence in three years.
“Yesterday, I got a chance to hug him with not one arm but two arms,” said Piggat’s mother, “and said, ‘I love you,’ not knowing today was going to be the last day I see my son, my second oldest.”
The victim’s brother, Ralph Hemingway III, was killed in a March 2015 shooting, and Piggat himself survived a shooting about three years ago that left him with seven gunshot wounds.
“In the head, close range. Whoever did it had no mercy, have no heart, not only did they take my son, they took my life as well,” Piggat’s mother said.
Investigators said it’s unclear whether or not Piggat was the intended target, but his mother believes the shooting was intentional.
Back at the scene, police shut down Northwest Seventh Avenue between Eighth and 10th streets for hours while they investigated.
Officials have not provided any details about a possible gunman or the vehicle involved.
“We’re working to look for any identifying marks that had been left behind or any witnesses who possibly saw what occurred,” said Delva.
Police said they are concerned about the incident because it happened in broad daylight.
“This is a very concerning matter, and of course, we do take all shootings extremely seriously,” said Delva.
Officials and Piggat’s family is urging anyone with information about a possible gunman or the vehicle involved to come forward.
“[So we can] locate the suspects involved in this senseless shooting,” said Delva.
If you have any information that could help investigators, 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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