A late-night shooting in a downtown Fort Lauderdale parking garage left one man dead early Sunday, turning the city’s entertainment district into a crime scene just as the bars were emptying out.
Police say the gunfire erupted around 4:30 a.m. inside the parking structure at the Broward County Governmental Center near Southwest Second Street and First Avenue, according to Local 10. Medics rushed the victim to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a firearm at the scene, and a Local 10 crew reported a hat lying on the sidewalk outside the garage as detectives combed the area.
Police response
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department said officers quickly located and detained a person of interest and collected a gun as evidence, Local 10 reported. "This case is still active and if anyone witnessed this event, please call police," Sgt. Patrick O'Brien said in an email to the station.
How to help investigators
Detectives are asking anyone who saw what happened or has video from the area to come forward. Tipsters can call the Fort Lauderdale Police Department's non-emergency line at 954-764-HELP (4357) or visit the department online at Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 (TIPS). Both lines operate 24/7.
Downtown context
The killing adds to a troubling pattern of overnight violence in Fort Lauderdale's nightlife zones. A January shooting leaves five injured in Himmarshee Village and drew interest from the FBI, and city officials in recent months have publicly promised stepped-up patrols in late-night hotspots.
Investigators were still processing the garage scene Sunday and have not yet released the victim's name. Police are urging anyone with information to contact them as they work to piece together what led up to the deadly shooting.
