WSVN — Cops say two step-brothers were in the wrong place at the wrong time when they were shot. One of them, a recent college graduate, died. Now a passionate plea from a mother searching for justice in her son’s murder. The Nightteam’s Rosh Lowe has it in the Lowedown.
Esmae Dugue: "Why me? Why us? Why my family? Why my son?"
Questions that tear at the heart of a mom.
Esmae Dugue: "We are just suffering in such agony because Chris, he didn’t hang out in the streets. He wasn’t into that lifestyle."
Esmae Dugue lost her 25-year-old son Christopher in a shooting in North Miami Beach last month. Her other son Wilson, was also hit in the gunfire. He survived.
Captain Rich Rand: "We have two young men in the prime of their lives. One who just graduated college, trying to help out a family member. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were not the intended targets."
A picture show them together at Chris’ graduation in May. He earned a degree in business administration and had just formed a company.
But all that was lost when someone walked up to a window and fired shots into the home.
Chris and his step-brother were visiting relatives when they were shot.
Esmae Dugue: "Chris was always home, always to himself. Chris didn’t like going out, he was a homebody. It’s so sad and so heartbreaking to us. Our son didn’t deserve this. He didn’t deserve this at all."
Rosh Lowe: "North Miami Beach Police say enough is enough. There have been a number of shootings recently here. They say it’s all tied to gangs. They say it’s very concerning because these gangs will shoot indiscriminately at houses. In the cross fire– innocent victims. That’s exactly the case we have here, police say."
Captain Rich Rand: "I can tell you that it’s almost turned out to be like the Wild West where they just go by and just shoot into houses. They don’t know who’s in the house. I don’t know that they care who’s in the house. They try to send a message. And we as a community, we as a police department need to send a message back we will not put up with this."
Put up with the pain this loss causes a family, where a mother and father can no longer hold their child. They can only clutch on to photos. A graduation photo symbolizing a new beginning… only to have a tragic end.
Esmae Dugue: "Anyone with a conscious to see this story, you know, the pain and the suffering that we’re going through. If you know anything, come forward to solve this case."
If you have any information that could help, 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.
Rosh Lowe, 7News.