SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Several communities are reeling after a recent wave of gun violence in Miami-Dade County that claimed the lives of three adults and left two children fighting for their lives in local hospitals. Now, police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the shooters responsible.
18-year-old Flavio Morales was playing at the Naranja Park at around 7:00 p.m. on Monday along Southwest 141st Avenue and 264th Street when, deputies say, he and another man got into a verbal altercation.
It would escalate when the subject brandished a firearm and shot Morales before fleeing in an unknown direction.
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene and found an 18-year-old suffering from a gunshot wound.
Paramedics airlifted the victim to a local hospital in critical condition; however, he would tragically succumb to his injuries.
Detectives spoke to witnesses and combed for clues; however, the shooter is still on the run.
“I do want to ask the community to please, if you are involved in an altercation with anybody else, to please just walk away. It is not worth the argument,” said an MDSO spokesperson.
The exact relationship between the victim and shooter remains unclear. MDSO’s Homicide Bureau is actively investigating the incident.
Earlier in the evening, MDSO deputies and Fire Rescue units responded to reports of a shooting at a Wawa gas station along Southwest 248th Street and 112th Avenue.
Upon arrival, they located 34-year-old Juan Carlos Hoyos suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the hospital by helicopter; however, he would not survive.
Deputies said they found the gunman, 43-year-old Pablo Juarez, Jr., nearby, stopping him in his truck. They say the two men knew each other prior to the incident. The two sat in the victim’s car for about an hour before Juarez got out, armed himself, and opened fire on Hoyos.
Officials have not yet revealed the circumstances surrounding their argument.
According to family, Hoyos is survived by a wife and several children.
Early Saturday morning, a mother, identified as Desiree Brown, was killed after a shooting in Northeast Miami-Dade. Deputies say several gunmen opened fire into an SUV near the corner of Northeast 140th Street and Second Court.
Her two children, 11-year-old Reagan Bowens and 12-year-old Jarell Thompson, were also struck and are currently recovering at a hospital.
The victim’s mother and grandmother are still searching for justice.
“Turn yourself in,” said Fannie Marshall, Desiree’s mother. “Because Desiree Brown did not deserve this. Just know you will be brought to justice. I promise you that.”
If you have any information on this crime, 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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