MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have arrested a teenage boy accused of fatally shooting another teenager in Miami Gardens.
According to Miami Gardens Police, 17-year-old Josh Ancrum was gunned down in the area of Northwest 207th Street and 34th Court, just after 2 p.m., Tuesday.
Responding officers found Ancrum suffering from a gunshot wound in his upper body and requested medics.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue airlifted him to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Police made an arrest in connection to the shooting, Wednesday.
They said a 16-year-old now faces a charge of aggravated manslaughter for the murder of Ancrum.
Lisa Alvarez, the victim’s mother, said the 16-year-old was her son’s friend.
“I heard it was over a video game. These were two boys that played together. They grew up together,” she said. “I literally know his mom personally. I don’t even know what to say.”
Ancrum was described by loved ones as a star football player with a bright future.
“He was a good football player and everything,” a woman said. “That boy had something good going for himself.”
“He had a good, good heart. If he loved you, he loved you a long way,” added Alvarez.
Today we are saddened to find out about the passing of one of our current players. Josh, you’re funny and charismatic attitude will forever live in our hearts. You will never be forgotten and will be missed🕊 LLJA pic.twitter.com/eKiVbY0g3v
— SFE (@SouthFLExpress) May 21, 2019
The teen’s team gathered Wednesday to console each other and honor their teammate.
“We aren’t going to ever get to share those memories again and never be on the football field again,” said Jarvis Brownlee, Ancrum’s teammate. “Things ain’t going to never be the same again.”
“That makes you just want to go home and hug your kids and tell everybody you love them,” added the team’s coach, Ricky Williams Sr. “I mean, a life just cut short like that, it really hurts.”
Alvarez said the hardest part is knowing her son will never live his dream of playing in the NFL.
“He wanted to pay bills. He was ready to give up his dream to take care of me,” she said. “I just want to send him away like a king because that’s what he is. He’s my king.”
Alvarez said that the pain of a mother losing her child will never go away.
Neighbors like Thomas said the violence needs to stop.
“Just crazy,” he said. “It’s just senseless. Just senseless. One day it’s this. One day it’s that. It’s just society.”
“No words can get him back, you feel me?” the woman added. “Nothing that we doing right now can get him back. Everybody just gotta be safer and put the guns away. Period.”
The 16-year-old, whose identity remains undisclosed, will be prosecuted as an adult. His next court date is scheduled for June 11.
If you have any additional information on this homicide, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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