OPA-LOCKA, FLA. (WSVN) - An 8-year-old girl and a man have been hospitalized following a drive-by shooting in Opa-Locka.
Opa-Locka Police and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to an apartment complex along the 13000 block of Port Said Road at around 10 p.m., Wednesday.
“It definitely appears that it may have been more than one shooter,” said Opa-Locka Police Lt. Nikeya Jenkins. “It’s very unfortunate for something like this to happen. We have a young girl, very innocent, you know, the age of 8 years old, inside of her home not doing anything, preparing for school.”
Paramedics transported both victims as trauma alerts to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.
According to police, the girl was grazed by a bullet, and the 42-year-old male victim was standing on a second-story balcony when he was struck.
Police described the weapon used in the shooting as a high-powered rifle.
“From what we gather, the subjects were basically shooting from the outside of the Glorieta Apartments on Port Said Road, so the shooting took place there, and they basically shot into the complex, where bullets struck the apartment building,” said Jenkins. “It’s something that needs to stop.”
Resident Sharon Roberson said she does not feel safe living in the neighborhood.
“As senior citizens and tenants, we are getting tired,” she said. “There have been too many murders around here, too many shootings. You don’t know if you’re safe walking out.”
Neighbors, like Shirley Jackson, told 7News they do not believe the 8-year-old girl or her family will be returning to the apartment community anytime soon.
“Go through the list, the history, of all the people that got shot, killed, robbed around here,” Jackson said. “Enough is enough! What else is it going to take?”
If you have any information on this drive-by shooting, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.