SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are searching for those who are responsible for the death of a 17-year-old and leaving two other 16-year-olds in the hospital following a drive-by shooting in Southwest Miami-Dade.
Miami-Dade Police identified the 17-year-old victim as Clinton Young on Thursday morning, just hours after his body was removed from the scene.
Hours later, his cousin, Bianca White, broke down near the front yard of Young’s grandmother, just feet from where, investigators said, the teen was gunned down.
“This is where he felt his safest, and this is where he lost his life,” said White. “It brought back so many memories of his father, because his father lived through him, so for us to lose him the same way as we lost his dad, it was very hard.”
Police and fire rescue crews responded to the shooting in the area of Southwest 115th Avenue and 223rd Street in the Goulds neighborhood, just after 8:30 p.m., Wednesday.
“The vehicle drove by, opened fire, striking three juveniles,” said Miami-Dade Police detective Alvaro Zabaleta.
The two 16-year-old boys were airlifted to Kendall Regional Medical Center with gunshot wounds to the arm or leg.
Young died at the scene.
His uncle, the Rev. Anthony Ancrum, said Young’s mother is devastated.
“I can’t imagine what she’s going through, waking up this morning and her son was alive this time yesterday and he’s gone,” said Ancrum.
Ancrum said Young was visiting his aunt’s house after he got out of work on Wednesday.
“I’m just tired of losing sons,” he said.
HELP US CATCH A MURDERER! Segment – 8🚨 Our Homicide Bureau detectives need your help to solve the murder of Clinton Young that occurred on 4/7/21 in the area of SW 115 Avenue & SW 223 Street. #TogetherWeCan
🎥: https://t.co/tRgtwoP0Wp pic.twitter.com/l56U6intYn— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) April 8, 2021
Ancrum said his sister was in bed when she heard the shots ring out. Another one of the victims stumbled up to her front door and told her about her nephew.
The two other victims who were left injured are football players, according to Ancrum.
“These are not kids that are on the streets. These kids are aspiring for more,” he said. “These are athletes that are being recruited from colleges across the country, and they are being shot in the street by thugs.”
Surveillance video captured rapid gunfire and a car’s headlights.
Those who live nearby said they heard lots of gunshots ringing out.
“Over 20, just kept going,” said one woman.
“I wouldn’t figure it was a shooting or something like that, but this loud banging looked like it would never stop,” said Maurice Scott, who lives nearby. “It just kept on going.”
7News cameras captured a bullet hole left in a car’s windshield.
Again, a family finds themselves grieving the loss of their child & AGAIN, we NEED the communities help! Last night in our South District, we lost a 17-year-old to senseless gun violence & two others were injured. The violence has to stop! Contact @CrimeStopper305 with any info.
— Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez III (@AFreddyRamirez) April 8, 2021
Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Ramirez III took to Twitter to weigh in on the tragedy and ask for the community’s help.
Detectives were back at the scene Thursday morning handing out flyers to area residents in the hopes that someone will come forward with information.
“It’s unfortunate, that another juvenile loses their life and another two are at the hospital. We’re urging the community to come together with the police department on this investigation,” said Zabaleta.
“I just know he felt like, ‘I’m just going to my grandma’s house, I’m going to be safe here,’ and for this to happen to him here,” said White as her voice trailed off.
If you have any information regarding this drive-by shooting, call Miami-Dade Police or 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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