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Suspect sought in shooting of NAACP's branch office in Fort Lauderdale

NAACP's branch office in Fort Lauderdale hit by gunfire
NAACP's branch office in Fort Lauderdale hit by gunfire 02:19

FORT LAUDERDALE - Authorities are searching for a suspect after gunshots struck a NAACP branch office in Fort Lauderdale late Monday night.

According to Fort Lauderdale police, officers responded to reports of shots fired around 11 p.m. in the 1100 block of NW 6th Street.

Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, and bullet holes were later found in the windows on the north and east sides of the NAACP office. The building is located east of I-95 and northwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale.

No one was inside at the time, and no injuries were reported.

Police have issued a "Be on the Lookout" (BOLO) bulletin for a man seen on surveillance footage. He was wearing a ball cap, long sleeves, and jeans. Witnesses say someone matching his description fired multiple rounds at the building, possibly using a revolver.

A resident who lives nearby, who did not want to be identified, described the moment the shots rang out.

"I was just sitting there, ready to go to bed, and then I heard a 'pow,' then a couple more 'pows' after that, about five or six," he said. "The shots were so close, I just sat in my bed hoping none would come through the window. After those five shots, I got nosey and looked out, but I didn't see anything."

The FBI is assisting Fort Lauderdale police in the investigation as they work to determine whether the shooting was targeted or a random act of gun violence.

"We want to get to the bottom of it before we jump to any conclusions and just make sure that it doesn't happen again," said Broward Commissioner Robert McKinzie, who lives in the neighborhood. "If it was targeted, that won't be tolerated, and we'll get to the bottom of it. But hopefully, that's not the case."

State Senator Rosalind Osgood, who also lives nearby, expressed concern and called for swift action.

"I'm hoping that police will identify the perpetrator and take the necessary actions. We have to take strong positions against gun violence," she said.

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