Late Saturday night, a person was hospitalized after gunfire erupted near a Checkers restaurant at the intersection of Northwest 27th Avenue and Miami Gardens Drive in Miami Gardens. First responders moved in quickly, sealing off the area as investigators searched for evidence and witnesses. Video from the scene showed a victim being airlifted to a nearby hospital, and authorities said the investigation is still ongoing.
Scene and response
Police and paramedics arrived late Saturday after reports of a shooting near the Checkers, and Miami Gardens Police shut down the restaurant and an adjacent gas station with crime-scene tape, according to WSVN. A witness told the station, "It was a good night until I saw this. It's scary, we got to do better," as cameras captured one person being airlifted from the scene. Reporters with the station said they had contacted police for additional details while detectives continued their work overnight.
Where it happened
The area around Northwest 27th Avenue and Miami Gardens Drive is a heavily traveled commercial strip lined with restaurants, gas stations and shopping centers that serves as a local hub for residents and commuters. NW 27th Avenue and Miami Gardens Drive are identified as major arteries through the city, according to the City of Miami Gardens, which helps explain how a late-night shooting there can quickly snarl traffic and disrupt nearby businesses. Municipal resources and nearby police staging areas supported first responders as they managed the scene and kept the investigation moving.
How to help
Anyone who saw what happened or has video of the overnight shooting is urged to contact Crime Stoppers of Miami-Dade at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online. The Miami Gardens Police Department also lists non-emergency contact information and tip submission options on its website for residents who want to share details directly with detectives.
