Distraught mom seeks answers in killing of son, 15, in NW Dade shooting
MIAMI - The mother of a 15-year-old boy who died Wednesday afternoon after being shot at a mobile home park in North Miami-Dade says she wants answers about her son's death and is pleading for help from the public.
CBS News Miami's Peter D'Oench spoke with Latasha Goldwire, the mother of the victim Barry Ellis.
Miami-Dade police say he was shot inside a residence occupied by multiple people at a mobile home park at 8050 N.W. Miami Court.
Police responded after receiving 911 calls just after 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Fire Rescue found the teenager in a black Honda with a gunshot wound to his chest. Miami-Dade police said other people were in the car and were in the process of trying to drive him to a hospital. He was transported instead by Fire Rescue.
Goldwire said her son was an 8th-grade student at Horace Mann Middle School.
Goldwire said, "I am dealing with anger and sadness. I just can't believe this happened. This was the last thing I would have thought would have happened. He meant so much to me. We even have the same birthday. That was the sad part about it."
She said, "I wonder why this happened. I just want some answers. If anybody out there can give me some answers I need it. Please if you were in the same boat as me, please come forward, please help me out. I hope people will listen. Yes, this ripped me apart from outside to my inside. I just can't think. It's like my heart is inside my stomach right now."
She said, "He had big dreams and all he liked to do was play video games with his friends. He was a good kid. It hurts so much, deep down in my heart. I just can't take it. I never ever thought anything like this would ever happen. The first thing I think of is my kid getting home from school safe. They need to get rid of guns like that, people with guns, kids with guns."
Ellis's grandmother, Mamie Goldwire, said "I just broke down crying when I heard what happened. That was my grandbaby."
Miami-Dade Police have not said if they have found a murder weapon or if they have any suspects or a motive.
Anyone with information that can help should call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).
There is a reward of up to $5,000.
