MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - A high school student has been airlifted to the hospital after a shooting near Miami Norland Senior High School.
Late Monday night, Miami-Dade Schools Police confirmed the victim was a student at the school, but the shooting happened off campus.
The shooting happened around 4:15 p.m., Monday, near Northwest 11th Avenue and 193rd Street, and it forced the lockdown of all schools on the campus, also including the middle and elementary schools.
“Be advised that there was somebody shot at Norland Senior,” said a dispatcher over Broadcastify. “Be advised, she’s calling from the middle school advising that someone was shot at the high school.”
Police departments of Miami Gardens, Miami-Dade and Miami-Dade Schools all responded to the call.
The shooting happened during after-school activities, and a group of students on the high school’s field ran into the gym when they heard shots fired, and they called the police.
“I was at cheer practice, and all I hear is, ‘Pow, pow, pow,’ everybody looking like, and then I heard all my coaches say, ‘Run, run now! Run!’ That’s all I heard,” said a student.
Another student said she texted her mom that she heard shots and that she would be home later than she expected since her school was on a code red.
The 18-year-old victim was able to get into a blue SUV and was driven to a nearby fire station. Police SUVs were seen surrounding that car, at the station, as part of the investigation.
Paramedics treated him for a gunshot wound before taking him via a rescue truck to a field where an air rescue helicopter landed, about a mile and a half away from the schools.
The victim was then transported to Aventura Hospital.
“It’s sad and it’s heartbreaking,” said Jackson.
At the same time, police had received calls about a second victim inside the middle school.
Fire rescue trucks stood by as police searched the school with guns drawn, but no second victim was found.
All schools were placed on lockdown during the search; the middle school and elementary school’s lockdowns were lifted by 5:45 p.m. and parents were allowed to pick up their children.
At 6:30 p.m., the high school remained on lockdown as police finished their search.
Convoys of teachers and staff escorted groups of students to safety after police officers checked the schools for danger.
“There’s always a worry when there is a code red at the school because you never know if it’s your child but the fact that I was able to hear from [my son] ensures that he was safe so that’s all that mattered to me,” said Chimere Jackson.
Regina Wollaston was another frantic parent that rushed to the school.
She feared the worst, but she soon got a welcome update in an automated call.
“The school said they were safe,” she said, “students and staff. I felt better.”
Jackson said she was just happy to know her child was safe and the safety protocols worked as designed.
“My husband and I have been on edge, but the good thing to know is the principal, she has been taking a lot of precautions, making sure the students were safe at all times,” she said.
There is no information on the shooter, who police continue to search for.
The victim, meanwhile, remains at the hospital in stable condition.
As of Tuesday morning, there are still no updates on the whereabouts of the shooter.
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 reward of up to $5,000.
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