MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (WSVN) — A mother whose son was fatally shot in Miami Gardens, Tuesday, described the loss of losing two sons to gun violence.
A memorial with teddy bears, scattered roses and broken hearts in Miami Gardens continued to grow, Wednesday night. Family members and friends attended to reflect and remember the straight ‘A’ student who, according to his mom, had a bright future. "Biology, he wanted to be a scientist," said Tammy Sweeting. "The feeling I feel right now is like a sword through my heart. The pain is very unbearable."
Tuesday evening, Sweeting’s 17-year-old son, Roderick Sweeting, was heading home from school when he was fatally shot a couple of feet away from their apartment complex’s front door. "My baby got killed right out there," she said in tears. "So close to home, yet so far."
She said Roderick had just texted her that he was on his way home from school just moments before she heard gunshots outside their home. "And I got the text in response, yesterday, that said, ‘We almost coming in the gate," she said. "Once they texted that, I heard gunshots. And, I went and looked to see where Rod was, and Rod was lying there between two cars, with blood just pouring out of him."
According to Roderick’s little brother, who witnessed his brother pass away, three men appeared at the apartment complex and shot Roderick multiple times. The mother of the deceased said of her sons, "They were always giving me a kiss, and I’d tell them I love them, and behave in school, and that’s the last time I saw him alive, leaving for school, yesterday morning."
Once she ran outside, she witnessed what no parent ever hopes of seeing. "As I walk around, my son was laying between two cars, bleeding," she said, "and his brother kept telling him to get up, and his hand was over his forehead. He did a thing where he shook his head, ‘No,’ and after that, there was no more movement. I knew he was gone."
Sweeting, who attended American Senior High School, was pronounced dead on the scene. "It was my child," said his mother in tears. "I’m just asking God for strength right now, and I want those who did this to be brought to justice."
Roderick was an ‘A’ student, she said, who had dreams of becoming a scientist. "He seemed like a nice kid," said Regis Palomino, a classmate who met Roderick. "I wouldn’t expect him to get shot like that because he was cool people. I mean, there was nothing wrong with him. He was a funny kid, that’s it."
According to Miami-Dade County Public Schools superintendent, Alberto M. Carvalho, Roderick was a good student and a good person. He said the death of so many young students impossible to understand. "Kids continue to die. These were kids with promising futures," he said.
Roderick’s classmates are on edge. "It’s sad. It’s a tragedy," said Palomino. "I just can’t believe it. No one can believe it."
Some students said they had lost other friends due to gun violence. "It affected me a lot because you never know what’s going to happen. That’s why you have to be careful with what you do," he said.
Five years ago, she lost her oldest son to gun violence. She said an arrest was never made in that case, but she hopes there will be justice for Roderick. "I want no harm to be brought to them," she said. "I want them to be brought to justice."
Now, she is putting her faith in authorities as they search for those who have caused her so much pain. "To know Roderick is to love him," she said. "Even with little kids, that are 5 and 2, he had spirit that they would just attach right to him, straight to him."
She said Roderick’s little brother witnessed the tragedy and will need counseling to process and come to terms with the loss. According to Miami-Dade County Public School officials, grief counselors and crisis management teams were available at the school, Wednesday.
His heartbroken mother now has a plea for the community. "Anybody know anything, come forward," she said. "I beg you, please come forward, because we would like justice for Roderick Sweeting’s life, because he didn’t deserve that."
Now, she is putting her faith in authorities as they search for those who have caused her so much pain. "To know Roderick is to love him," she said. "Even with little kids, that are 5 and 2, he had spirit that they would just attach right to him, straight to him."
She said Roderick’s little brother witnessed the tragedy and will need counseling to process and come to terms with the loss. According to Miami-Dade County Public School officials, grief counselors and crisis management teams were available at the school, Wednesday.
Investigators are still searching for those responsible. 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 $3,000 reward.