A February drive-by shooting in southwest Miami-Dade has now landed a 17-year-old in adult court, after investigators say dashcam video captured a black Honda Civic rolling up on two teens and opening fire. A 15-year-old boy was hit in the right shoulder and left ankle and rushed to a local hospital, where he is recovering. Online jail records show the suspected shooter was booked into Metro West on an attempted murder charge.
Dashcam Shows Gunman Firing From Passing Car, Investigators Say
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, investigators reviewed dashcam footage that appears to show a front-seat passenger stretching his arm out of the window of a black Honda Civic and squeezing off multiple rounds at two teens walking along the street. Deputies later arrested Adrian Negron Vega, then 16, and 17-year-old Camilo Buritica in connection with the February 18 incident.
Detectives say Buritica admitted he was behind the wheel and told them Negron Vega fired the shots. As outlined in a release by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the case number is PD260218049393, and detectives have asked anyone with additional information to contact Crime Stoppers.
Months Later, Prosecutors Turn To Adult Charges
Local 10 reports that online jail records show Negron Vega, who was 16 at the time of the February 18 shooting, was booked into Metro West on an attempted murder charge and is now being prosecuted as an adult. An arrest report reviewed by Local 10 states that dashcam video captured an argument before the gunfire and that the wounded teen later identified the shooter to deputies.
The move to adult court marks a major procedural turn in the case and opens the door to substantially tougher penalties if Negron Vega is convicted.
How Florida Lets Prosecutors Move Teens Into Adult Court
Under Florida law, state attorneys have the authority to “direct file” certain juvenile cases in adult court when, in their judgment, “the public interest requires that adult sanctions be considered or imposed.” The statute lists discretionary criteria and provides that a juvenile transferred to adult court for criminal prosecution may then be handled as an adult for later offenses.
Human Rights Watch and other advocates have long criticized Florida’s direct-file system for giving prosecutors broad power to make that call, often with limited judicial review. The process, and the ongoing debate around it, is laid out in Florida Statutes and in analysis by groups such as Human Rights Watch.
Neighbors Rattled As Deputies Move In
Residents in the Kendall Square area told WSVN they were stunned to see deputies swarm a nearby townhouse and lead people out in handcuffs. Some described a heavy law enforcement presence that turned their normally quiet block into a crime scene backdrop.
Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz publicly praised deputies for quickly making arrests and said officials were thankful to get the suspects off the street. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office release also urges anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
What Comes Next In Court
Before the direct-file decision, Negron Vega appeared before an 11th Circuit judge, who ordered a psychological evaluation and kept him in detention through March 11. Judge Michelle Barakat told WSVN, “I do find probable cause for each of the counts enumerated therein.”
If prosecutors press forward with adult charges, the case would move into circuit court, where different rules and the possibility of adult sentencing apply under Florida law. Upcoming court filings or an arraignment date should clarify the prosecution’s path and the defense strategy. Hoodline will update this story as those records become public.
