MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - Local neighborhood crime watch groups gathered in Miami Gardens for a community walk in hopes of getting justice for a father and his toddler victimized by gun violence.
According to Miami Gardens Police, 27-year-old Darin Williams Jr. and his child, Darin Williams III, were shot along Northwest 187th Street and 23rd Avenue on Monday, just before 9 p.m.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews airlifted both Williams and his 1-year-old son to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Williams did not survive.
The toddler remains in the hospital just a month shy of his second birthday.
Police said Williams was holding his young son and used his body to block the bullets.
“This young man didn’t deserve to die like that. He didn’t deserve that. That little baby is going to be raised without a father,” said Rodney Harris, a Miami Gardens councilman. “Darin was a great young man. He was getting his life together and doing the things that he needed to do.”
Concerned residents, community leaders and police have now come together to get justice for Williams and his son, Thursday afternoon.
“We are upset,” said resident Bettye Zepeda.
Members from the Crestview/Rolling Oaks Neighborhood Crime Watch, as well as the Scott Lakes Crime Watch have taken to the streets of Miami Gardens to pass out flyers.
Their hope is that someone will come forward to help catch the shooter.
“We’re here because we care about our residents, and we’re tired of this senseless violence that’s taken place,” said Harris. “We want to show that we’re not going to stand for it here in Miami Gardens, whether it’s here in the Crestview area or whether it’s here in the Rolling Oaks area or whether it’s anywhere else in Miami Gardens. We’re not going to stand for these senseless shootings to continue.”
There is now a $13,000 reward being offered for any information that can help lead to an arrest in this case.
If you have any information on this fatal shooting, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.
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