SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are searching for a gunman who, they said, shot at a car with an infant and a child inside at an intersection in Southwest Miami-Dade, killing the driver.
7SkyForce HD hovered above police units blocking the intersection of Southwest 152nd Street and 127th Avenue, north of Zoo Miami, just after 6 p.m., Friday.
A driver’s dashcam captured the sound of gunfire.
A vehicle was seen partially covered with a yellow tarp and with bullet holes in the driver’s side door.
Investigators said the victim was driving when someone pulled up next to the vehicle and discharged a firearm at around 5:30 p.m., striking the victim.
“An unknown subject in a four-door Lexus, a gray Lexus, approached him from the driver’s side, opened fire and then fled westbound on 152nd Street,” said Miami-Dade Police detective Alvaro Zabaleta.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene and pronounced the driver dead.
Inside the victim’s car, police said, was a 1-year-old in a car seat, a 5-year-old and another adult. None of the other occupants were injured.
“On the front seat, there was a 1-year-old child in a car seat that easily could have been struck by gunfire and taken his life,” said Zabaleta, “and as a matter of fact, his birthday is today.”
7SkyForce shows a woman holding the infant at the scene.
Police are searching for a gray four-door Lexus that fled the scene.
Officers shut down Southwest 152nd Street, from 122nd to 133rd avenues, while they investigate. Traffic was seen backed up near the scene of the shooting.
Area residents stuck in traffic home reached the neighborhood to find flashing lights and crime scene tape.
“It’s very alarming, because I’ve been here for 12 years, and this has never happened,” said a woman.
“I have no words for that, no words. I’m speechless,” said another woman. “Like, seriously, this is such a calm neighborhood. Something like this has never, ever happened here.”
Just after 8 p.m., Miami-Dade County officials confirmed the COVID-19 testing site at Zoo Miami has been closed due to police activity in the area. It is scheduled to reopen Saturday at 7 a.m.
Just after 10 p.m., 7News cameras captured the intersection filled with at least 50 evidence markers where the shots were fired.
As of 11 p.m., police have not identified the victim, and the intersection remained shut down.
If you have any information on this drive-by shooting or the gunman’s whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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