Early this morning, tragedy struck Florida City when one man was killed and another injured in a shooting that was reported around 12:30 a.m. near Northwest 14th Street and Northwest 2nd Avenue. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office stated that Florida City Police were the first to respond to the scene. Two men were discovered with gunshot wounds; one was pronounced dead at the scene while the other was taken to the hospital in stable condition, as confirmed by NBC Miami in their coverage of the incident.
Witnesses to the aftermath revealed that the horrifying event was captured live on social media. According to NBC Miami, a video on Facebook Live seemed to record the sound of gunfire, and in a subsequent 911 call, an individual was heard pleading, "I got shot. One dead... Please come get me... my cousin's dead." Further compounding the tragedy, this senseless act of violence occurred during a time when families are still reeling from the holidays.
A close acquaintance of the deceased, named by friends and relatives as Carl Melvin, shared their grief and disbelief with NBC Miami, expressing despair at this tragic event happening "It's right after Christmas, before New Year's. It's not something that should be happening every day." Meanwhile, Local 10's interviews with community members portrayed a neighborhood shaken by the loss of a well-liked individual. One resident, Charlotte Thompson, who knew the victim's family, lamented the "senseless death" and called for an end to such violence in the streets of Florida City.
Homicide detectives with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office are leading the investigation. Florida City Commissioner Walter Thompson offered prayers for the victims and their families, assuring the community that authorities are working to bring answers. Police are urging anyone with information to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
