MIAMI (WSVN) - A teenager is dead and two others were injured, following an overnight shooting in a Miami neighborhood.
The shooting happened in Liberty City, near 69th Street and Sixth Court, around 11:20 p.m., Wednesday.
According to Miami Police, a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital after being shot. They are both said to be in stable condition. However, an 18-year-old victim, who was also transported, was pronounced dead.
The father of the three victims has identified the 18-year-old as Tremmelle Raymond, Jr. He said Raymond was a senior in high school, who was just a few credits shy of graduating.
Officials said the 18-year-old was outside talking to his girlfriend on the phone, when the shooter or shooters approached him. Raymond’s family members showed 7News the box Raymond was sitting on outside. The container had bullet holes in it.
As the victim ran inside his house to take cover, the shooter or shooters followed and opened fire, injuring the younger victims. “He literally walked up to our home, and he killed,” said Raymond’s aunt, who found Raymond after he was shot. “You shot point blank.”
Raymond’s 12-year-old sister was shot in the hand, and his 13-year-old brother was shot in the leg. Police said they were both watching television, when Raymond ran inside.
Relative Sabrina Bramwell said, “To whom shot my cousins, the thing I want to say to you is it’s best for you to go ahead and give yourself up, turn yourself in.”
A total of six children were inside the home at the time of the shooting, ranging in ages from 9 to 18 years old.
A Facebook video posted by Raymond, earlier Wednesday, showed him holding up a baggie and flashing it towards the camera. Later in the video, the driver is shown holding a gun towards the 18-year-old. Police said they are aware of the video, yet it is unclear whether this is part of the shooting investigation.
Raymond’s aunt recalled the moments she found him. “It was scary,” she said crying. “You are calling for help, and you come outside, and you have to drag them inside.”
His aunt later realized two other children in the home were also hit by bullets. “They were just like any other kids. Sitting on the couch, watching TV, and then shots rang out,” she said.
A detective could be seen speaking with Raymond’s father.
One witness, who did not wish to be identified, described what he heard. “I heard the gunshots, probably took about 30 seconds, 40 seconds, close to a minute,” he said. “Guys ran across the street. Next thing I know, a car took off around the corner.”
Police said multiple rounds were fired. Crime scene investigators were on scene for several hours, combing for clues in an alleyway between two homes. “Now, detectives are investigating,” said City of Miami Police Officer Earnest Lawrence, “and combing the area to get as much information as possible.”
Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes said, “We don’t have a lot of information about who the suspects are. We have a few leads we’re tracking, but we don’t have a lot right now.”
“Very scary,” said one neighbor. “That’s why when I heard gunshots, I said to myself, ‘Should I rollover on the floor?'”
The 12-year-old and 13-year-old siblings are both students at Miami-Dade schools. “Unacceptable. It is tragic. It is dramatic,” said Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. “It is heartbreaking and painful to all of us.”
Carvalho spoke about the shooting on graduation day for some schools: “For me, it’s very tragic that the joy and the triumph of graduation is interrupted by incredible community tragedy and the shooting of yet again three young people in our community.”
The shooter or shooters remain at large. “God help you because it was stupid what you did,” Raymond’s aunt said. “You are a child yourself, and you take another life for what? Over stupid stuff.”
The motive for the shooting remains unknown.
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 cash reward.
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