Shooter Who Killed 2 Sisters, Injured 2 Others, Still On The Run
NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade police homicide investigators continue to try to solve an apparent drive-by shooting that left two sisters dead and 2 other people hospitalized in Northwest Miami-Dade.
Juan Perez, the Director of Miami-Dade Police, is calling this case a top priority and stopped by the CBS4 live truck at the crime scene late Monday afternoon to make a public appeal for the community to come forward.
Perez told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "I have two daughters of my own. This case is of ultimate importance and I can't imagine the mother and father's grief knowing that their daughters lost their lives for nothing being caught up in a crossfire. I can't even imagine what they are going through and the grief they share. So that's why I am out here appealing to the community and asking for help. I wanted to spark up some interest in this and I am so grateful that you are here doing this story. Because anytime we accept the horrific gun violence this can be the result and so I am asking that people come forward."
Just hours before Perez spoke, a Stop the Violence truck drove by the crime scene repeatedly with a flashing message appealing for the public's help in this case.
Police say Stephanie Telusme, 27, and her 23-year-old sister, Joanna, were shot and killed near Northwest 19 Avenue and 60 Street early Sunday morning.
Their family says they were visiting a friend before they went out for the night.
"They weren't even the ones who were targeted. They were innocent bystanders, according to their cousin Terry Silien. "It's just a sad unfortunate situation right now that my family has to go through and have to bury two young ladies," he continued.
"They were just out to enjoy a Saturday night and this happened," he said. "They were here to visit friends."
Two other shooting victims, Robert Allen, 30 and Jennifer Charles, 24, were also shot and transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center in stable condition, Miami-Dade police say.
Officers responded immediately after receiving a ShotSpotter signal around 1:30am Sunday. When police attempted to stop a vehicle leaving the area, the driver refused to stop, and soon after, abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
Police set up a perimeter and three men were detained and questioned, however, two were released and the third was arrested for an unrelated possession of marijuana charge.
No arrests have been made in connection to the shooting. The motive is still unknown.
It's not known who was being targetted.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
There is a reward of up to $3,000.
