A Homestead community is grieving the loss of 24-year-old Alvaro Funes Salas, a young church band member who was fatally shot Wednesday night. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office confirmed the incident occurred around 9 p.m. near Southwest 2nd Street and Southwest 3rd Avenue, as reported by NBC Miami.
Salas, a saxophone player in a local church band, may have been heading to or leaving church rehearsals when he was shot. His brother believes Salas was targeted in a robbery, stating, "They took the wallet with $80 and the only thing left was the saxophone and that’s it," as told to Local 10. The area, described as industrial, has no surveillance cameras, making it difficult to capture the crime on video.
Detectives are working with limited evidence, and nearby business owners confirmed they were closed at the time of the shooting, providing no helpful leads. The Sheriff's Office has not released additional details about the motive or suspect(s).
The community has come together to remember Salas, leaving flowers at the site of his death. Family, friends, and church members have also shared their condolences on social media. The Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers are asking anyone with information to contact them at 305-471-TIPS, offering a $5,000 reward for details leading to an arrest, while ensuring tipster anonymity.
