OPA-LOCKA, FLA. (WSVN) - Opa-locka Police responded to a drive-by shooting that left one person dead and another in critical condition.
Authorities gathered at the crime scene around 1 a.m. Monday at Northwest 22nd Avenue and Lincoln Avenue.
Live video footage showed at least 12 evidence markers on the ground as detectives continued to canvass the scene and a car displayed bullet holes on its front windshield.
Family members told 7News that his niece, her boyfriend and the couple’s child were walking out of a Lyft driver’s car when they got shot at. According to the witness, they had returned from watching a movie at the local theater.
“There were shots, one by one, hitting the car,” said the Lyft driver. “Everybody screamed. The man was instantly dead. The woman and the boy were screaming.”
Opa-locka Police have confirmed that a man, later identified as Jose Luis Lucho, and a woman sustained gunshot wounds when they arrived at the scene.
When Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the scene, they declared Lucho dead and transported the woman to Jackson Memorial Hospital Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition.
“I just came from Jackson and checked on my niece,” said the victim’s uncle. “I just came to check on the baby right now, to see if the baby is OK.”
According to her uncle, she was set to undergo surgery. Her condition remains unknown as of Tuesday morning.
The driver believed he was shot as he felt blood on the side of his head, but, to his relief, it came from the shattered glass.
“I have a son,” he said. “The first thing I did was think of him. When I touched my head and felt the blood, I thought I left him without a father.”
Officials confirmed that the Lyft driver and the child were not injured.
“I have the image of the moment engraved in my mind,” said the ride-share driver. “They shot at me from less than three feet.”
According to police, the shooters drove alongside the ride-share vehicle and opened fire at the vehicle. The car then fled the scene.
The father of the Lyft driver said he was shocked to hear what happened, but ultimately glad his son was not hurt.
A nearby neighbor said she heard many bullets go off overnight.
“We were sleeping,” she recalled. “It was 1 o’clock in the morning the shooting got us very nervous. We came outside and saw a woman laying in the middle of the street there.”
Police have not confirmed any arrests or have identified the vehicle that was involved in the drive-by shooting.
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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