Former Norland High Football Player Killed In Miami Gardens Shooting
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Described by his family and friends as a talented athlete, a 17-year-old who played football at Miami Norland Senior High died after being shot in Miami Gardens.
His mother, Lisa Alvarez, told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that she is devastated.
"He was my everything," she said. "He was my son. He had big dreams and he wanted to make it to the NFL. He wanted to buy me a house. He meant everything to me. Everything that is right. I never gave up on him. Even when he felt the world was against him I was there. I would wipe away the tears and I gave him the faith to believe in himself again. He was going in the right direction. He was making a change."
"He wanted people to be proud of him again," said Alvarez. He wanted to play ball. He wanted to play ball. He didn't care where. He wanted to go to prom. He wanted to graduate. He wanted to make it. He kept telling me 8 more months Ma."
"If I could switch spots now, I would," she said. "It's not supposed to be like this. He was supposed to bury me."
"I don't know what happened or what transpired," she said. "All I know is that for two young boys, life is over and now as a mother we got to pick up the pieces. He was special and he had a dream. Life is short. It is me today. Who will ie be tomorrow if we don't stop."
The shooting happened around 3 p.m. inside a home in the 3400 block of NW 20th Street.
Miami Gardens police said the injured teen was airlifted to a hospital but died on the way.
The teen, identified as Joshua Ancrum, did not live in the home, he was there visiting friends. Investigators said the shooting happened as a result of gunplay by Ancrums' friends. One person—-a juvenile who is 16—was arrested and has been charged with aggravated manslaughter
The South Florida Express football league said in addition to playing for Norland, Acrum also played on their 7and7 football team, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.
USA Today said Ancrum had scholarship offers from the University of South Florida, Florida International University, Southern Mississippi University, and Bowling Green. They referred to him as a 'rapidly rising three-star prospect'.
The South Florida Express has set up a GoFundMe page to help the family pay for funeral expenses.
J. Wimbrow, who set up the page, wrote, "We are saddened to hear about the loss of a promising young man, with great athletic talent. Josh was a Well sought out football Star from Miami Norland High School and Adidas's South Florida Express 7on7 Football Team."
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-8477.