OPA-LOCKA, Fla. – A driver was shot and killed during a traffic dispute early Friday along Northwest 135th Street in Opa-Locka, authorities said.
Detective Alvaro Zabaleta, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade County Police, said the 24-year-old victim, who was driving a white Ford pickup truck, and the driver of a black Kia sedan got into an altercation near Northwest 42nd Avenue around 7 a.m. Traffic had slowed to a crawl, allowing the men to get out of their vehicles, Zabaleta said.
The man in the black sedan then pulled out a gun and shot the driver of the truck, Zabaleta said.
The victim's brother, who was passenger in the truck, said his brother recently traveled to South Florida to work with him.
“My brother was just an awesome dude. All he wanted to do was buy his wife a frigging car and he loves fishing. Great dude man."
The brother said they were on their way to work when the shooting happened. Visibly upset, the brother told reporters, "There's no love in this world anymore."
"We tried to make this left hand turn, dude cut us off, got out of the car, shot my brother in the face. That what happened. I'm done,” the brother said before walking off.
Paramedics airlifted the victim to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where he later died of his injuries.
The driver of the sedan stayed on the scene and called 911. Police are currently interviewing the driver of the Kia and witnesses, Zabaleta said. No charges have been filed.
Police have shut down a portion of Northwest 135th Street as they investigate, causing traffic delays.