A man was killed in a shooting incident that took place on Florida's Turnpike near Miami Gardens yesteday evening, triggering a significant shutdown of the northbound lanes. The event occurred around 7:35 p.m., just south of Northwest 199th Street, and resulted in a traffic jam which lasted for approximately six hours. According to information provided by WSVN, the Florida Highway Patrol reported that the confrontation involved a black Cadillac SUV and a silver Hyundai.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office is investigating the situation as a probable road-rage incident. A Biscayne Park Police Department sergeant off-duty at the time witnessed the Hyundai weaving through traffic before a loud bang was heard, followed by the vehicle's collision with the Cadillac. The sergeant reported that upon approaching the Hyundai, a passenger exited and revealed that the driver had been shot. "Victim with a gunshot wound to the head. He was hit by a vehicle … that vehicle is on the left shoulder," stated a dispatcher in recorded radio transmissions obtained by WSVN.
The victim, 25-year-old Kendrick Javonne Lesesne, was pronounced dead at the scene. Despite the extensive investigation that followed, leading to an hours-long closure of the Turnpike, the shooter remains at large. Troopers found Lesesne with a gunshot wound inside the Hyundai, leading to the subsequent crash into the Cadillac involved, as detailed by NBC Miami. No other injuries were reported.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office has yet to release details about a potential suspect or the shooter's vehicle. They are leading an ongoing homicide investigation with the support of the Florida Highway Patrol, which is looking into the crash aspects. Authorities are appealing to the public for any information on the shooting or the subject’s whereabouts. Anyone with potential leads is encouraged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS, as stated by NBC Miami.
