A family stop for fast food turned into a crime scene Saturday afternoon when an 11-year-old girl and her father were shot in the parking lot of a McDonald's on West Hallandale Beach Boulevard in Hallandale Beach. The two were sitting in their car waiting on their order while the girl's mother went inside the restaurant. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital in stable condition, and police say the child will need surgery.
Police Say Gunman May Have Set Up Ambush
Hallandale Beach police said it appeared a gunman was lying in wait at the McDonald's, apparently set to ambush a specific target, and that gunfire was exchanged at the scene. Investigators also said a McDonald's employee may have been involved. No arrests have been announced as the investigation moves forward, NBC 6 South Florida reported.
Innocent Bystanders, Trail Of Evidence
According to investigators, the girl and her father had just pulled into the lot and stayed in their vehicle while the mother went inside, and were not the intended targets. The girl was conscious and alert after being shot, and both victims were taken to a local hospital in stable condition, where the child required surgery. Detectives reviewed surveillance video and went house to house in the surrounding area as they searched for a suspect, Local 10 reported.
Location And Ongoing Search
Police said the shooting happened in the 800 block of West Hallandale Beach Boulevard, while CBS News pinpointed the address as 835 West Hallandale Beach Boulevard. Authorities have not released the names of the victims and say the search for the shooter remains active as detectives continue to work the case, CBS Miami reported.
Investigation Still Wide Open
Hallandale Beach police are asking anyone who saw the confrontation or captured video of the shooting to contact detectives as they comb through footage and witness statements. Officials have not announced any charges and emphasize that the investigation is very much active, with no arrests so far. Reporting from Local 10 and NBC 6 South Florida has additional details.
