NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida community fed up with gun violence is calling for change.
Local leaders are calling the problem a “gun violence epidemic” in Miami-Dade County.
Six-year-old King Carter, 7-year-old Alana Washington and 6-year-old Chassidy Saunders were caught in the crossfire and killed in Miami-Dade County.
“Last month it was Chassidy, tomorrow it could be you or me, your loved ones or your child,” said Miami Police Deputy Chief Ronald L. Papier.
Police are still looking for information about Chassidy’s shooting death in January.
A month after the killing, community leaders gathered for a news conference at Olinda Park on 2101 NW 51 St., at 1 p.m., Tuesday, not far from where it happened.
“The purpose is to show that we are united,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
United, the mayor says, in working to address social and economic disparities that can be at the root of gun violence, and to address the silence that often follows a deadly shooting.
“We need the community to help us. We need people to step up and help us.”
“The Mayor has gathered all of us here today to say, ‘Community, we need your help.’ We need any fragment, or insight or information that will lead us to these killers,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.
“The police can’t do it alone, I’m telling you. We can’t. We need you. Give these people up. Turn them in because one day you may be that victim. The one you love may be that victim,” said Miami-Dade Police chief Alfredo Ramirez.
They say many of these shootings are retaliatory violence, someone out to settle a score with no concern for innocent lives in the way.
“These people don’t care about you. They don’t care about your kids. They don’t care about themselves,” Ramirez said.
“When our community stands up against these cold-hearted criminals, it lets shooters know that this community will not stand by and let innocent lives be taken,” Rundle said.
The reward for Chassidy’s case was at $5,000, but local pastors on Tuesday announced they will be adding to that reward.
If you have any information that may help with this investigation, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can remain anonymous and still be eligible for that reward.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.