Detectives Search For Clues In Murder Of Man Who Was Mowing His Lawn
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MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) – Miami Gardens Police detectives combed for clues Wednesday in the murder of a 61-year-old employee of Jackson Memorial Hospital who was gunned down Tuesday while mowing his lawn outside his home.
CBS4's Peter D'Oench reports that three detectives returned to the neighborhood and spoke with family members of the victim Curtis Smith as well as neighbors.
The detectives also retrieved surveillance tape from a neighbor's camera that shows the crime and the two young criminals who took Smith's life. Police hope to release their own videotape soon with enhanced images of the suspects. They are also looking into a report that Smith, a respiratory therapist, was killed for his jewelry.
Detectives also went door to door on Tuesday afternoon passing out flyers about Smith's death, asking for the public's help.
A spokeswoman for Jackson Memorial Hospital also released a statement about Smith that said, "The Jackson family is mourning the loss of Curtis Smith, a respiratory therapist who worked for the health system for nearly 29 years. Curtis was respected by his colleagues and well-liked by the patients he cared for, Our thoughts and prayers go out to Curtis' family and friends."
CLICK HERE to watch Peter D'Oench's report
Surveillance tape from a neighbor's camera shows the moments before Smith was gunned down while mowing his lawn.
D'Oench also reported that the surveillance tape also shows the crime happening and two criminals running away.
Miami Gardens police do need help from the public in identifying the gunmen. The neighbor who did not want to reveal his identity said the shooters were young and were on foot in the Scott Lake section of the city.
It happened outside Smith's home at 17630 N.W. 14th Ave. just before 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, according to neighbors and police.
At least three shots were fired. There were at least three yellow markers by shell casings beside the victim's lawn mower.
"I heard the same thing," said neighbor Key Gray on Tuesday. "He was cutting his grass as he often did on his days off. He was such a nice man. This was very sad. This was senseless violence and crazy. This violence is happening every day. It just can't be safe anymore. We need answers immediately. This is very sad."
Neighbor Lindsay Reed told D'Oench he heard the shots being fired.
"I heard something like an explosion," he said. It was like gunshot."
Neighbors Elsie Ferguson and Essie Starkey, who have lived in the neighborhood since 1975, said on Tuesday they are deeply troubled.
"You can see this is a beautiful neighborhood," said Ferguson. "People who come in here say it is gorgeous. This breaks my heart. This did not start happening here until 15 years ago."
"This is terrible and until they do something serious to keep people from committing these crimes, they are going to continue," Starkey said.
Police so far have not released a description of the shooter or shooters.
Anyone with information that can help Miami Gardens Police should call them or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).
There's a reward of up to $3,000 in this case.
