Police Hunt For Shooter Near Middle School In NW Miami-Dade
MIAMI (CBS4) - Two Miami-Dade public schools were placed on lockdown Friday afternoon as dozens of Miami-Dade Police officers searched a nearby community for a suspect who had shot and killed a 24-year-old man.
The incident happened inside a home near the Lawton Chiles Middle school inside the gated Marbella Park community in the 8200 block of N.W. 201st Terrace.
Students were kept inside the Spanish Lakes Elementary and Lawton Chiles Middle Schools until shortly after 4 p.m. when Police learned the suspect was in custody.
Sources told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that he had turned himself in to Miami-Dade Police.
Miami-Dade Police detective Javier Baez said the incident started with a dispute inside the home. He was not certain what caused the argument.
At least one shot was fired and the suspect fled. The victim, who was identified as 24-year-old Justin Michael Gary, was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, but he did not survive.
The suspect was the subject of a massive search involving a Miami-Dade Police helicopter.
CBS4 also spoke with the suspect's cousin, Eric Anderson.
"Police told me they were looking for my cousin and that he is the person who was involved with this shooting," said Anderson. "This came as a surprise to me. My cousin is a good guy. He's cool. He played J.V. football at American High School. I'm trying to understand what happened. I can't get back to my home. I am in shock."
Anderson said he was not sure why his cousin was not in school on this last day of classes before spring break.
Deanna and Kiara Rivera said they had been told by Police that they were looking for their 15-year-old friend in connection with the shooting and were shown his photo.
"I've known him for years," said Deanna. "And I am in shock."
Police say no charges had been filed as of Friday night. Detective Baez said they were questioning the young suspect and would not name him because he is a juvenile.
