Explosion In Front Yard Marks 2nd Attack On Miami Home
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- The FBI and ATF have joined Miami-Dade Police to investigate a disturbing mystery at a home in Southwest Miami-Dade that has been the repeated target of attack.
The home's front window was blown out after an explosive device was hurled into the front yard early Thursday morning, all with a family inside.
The home has been targeted before.
In May, rocks were thrown at the home. Four months later and the attack has gotten much more terrifying.
"What happens here is my son and nephew were here," said Marisol Chavez, the victim's mother. "I am sick and they told me to stay down, to stay in bed."
Shattered glass now litters the front yard and windows are boarded up with plywood.
"I can't explain to you this feeling except to say there was an explosion," she said, not wanting to show her face on camera for reporters. "I opened the door and I smelled smoke inside the house."
Police said they received their first call at 1:20 a.m. after rocks were thrown.
Chavez was inside with her 26-year-old son Michael and 27-year-old nephew, Lawrence Huete.
"At first I see a stone coming it was a small one," Chavez said. "My nephew saw some on the stairs. A stone broke the window."
About 20 minutes later, police said an explosive device caused a lot of damage.
"It sounded like an explosion," said neighbor Jason Guillou. "I thought someone hit a car. It was really that loud."
The family inside was left scrambling.
"My son said get on the floor and I was so scared. And the police were coming," Chavez said.
"That's attempted murder," said Bernadette Tarrant, a neighbor's family member. "For anyone to throw an explosive device, they really intended to hurt them."
Chavez said police did arrive back in May for the rock-throwing incident.
"Maybe it was vandals. Kids down the street."
However, it's left residents wondering why the home has been targeted twice in the year.
"It is shocking. I think it's horrible," Tarrant added. "I don't know why anyone would do it. I don't get it."
The arson case remains open and, because an explosive device was used, federal agents are investigating.
If you know anything that can be of help, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.