HOMESTEAD, FLA. (WSVN) - A man was shot and killed in Florida City as he was trying to break up a fight between two girls, police said.
Florida City Police units arrived at the scene of the incident in the area of Northwest 14th Street and First Court, Tuesday evening.
A video posted on Instagram captured the girls fighting on a school bus. They then got off the bus and continued fighting on the street.
As they continued to fight, two men, including the victim, tried to break it up when the shots were fired. One of the men who tried to break up the fight is believed to be the father of one of the girls.
According to police, the victim was identified as 47-year-old Johnny Lewis Stevenson Jr.
Johnny arrived at Homestead Hospital with a gunshot wound and was airlifted to Jackson South Trauma for surgery.
Detectives said the man died during surgery.
Johnny’s daughter was distraught as she spoke to 7News about the incident.
“He was on the floor. I’m trying to hold his stomach. I’m telling him, ‘Dad, you’re going to be OK, you’re going to be OK,'” said Sy’riah Stevenson.
The teenager and her 13 siblings are now left without a father.
“I didn’t know what to tell them. What was I gonna tell them? I didn’t know to do in my head. I’m just like ‘Oh no, this can’t be true. This can’t be true,'” said Sy’riah.
Sy’riah said her dad was only trying to help and protect his daughter.
“The gunman was very tall. He had a black t-shirt, black shorts with a white design. The boy pushes him. My dad pushes him back, like hold him, like, ‘Move,’ so the boy pulls out the gun and shoots him,” said Sy’riah. “His heart stopped and he had internal bleeding.”
Sy’riah said the shooting stemmed from a fight she had on the school bus.
“She spit on me. We started fighting,” said Sy’riah.
She and her fighting opponent took the fight to the street when more people got involved.
Moments before the shots were fired, cellphone video shows the shooter holding the hand of a small child.
Now, her family want justice and for the shooter to be found.
“He has 14 kids. He loved his kids. He takes care of all of his kids. He’s a good person like everybody in Florida City and Homestead knew him,” said Sy’riah.
Detectives said no arrest has been made.
Miami-Dade Police have taken over the homicide investigation.
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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