FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Two people, at what police say were in the wrong place at the wrong time, were shot Saturday night. One of the victims was an 11-year-old boy. Police have arrested a Lauderhill man who provided the gun used in the shooting, but they are still searching for the person who pulled the trigger.
It happened near the Broward Metro Transit Center, according to Fort Lauderdale police. The other person who was injured was an adult woman.
Early Saturday evening, the woman and boy were walking in the area of 50 NW 1st Street when an altercation broke out between two men that were nearby.
According to Fort Lauderdale police, one man, identified Sunday as Stanley Johnson, 60, of Lauderhill, went and got a gun from a vehicle and gave it to another man involved in a fight. That man began to fire, striking the two innocent victims.
Johnson was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
#Ftlauderdalepolice is unfortunately investigating a shooting which has left an innocent adult & child wounded. This incident occurred in the area of NW 1 ST / NW 1 AVE. We’re encouraging the public to bring forward any info. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
— Fort Lauderdale Police (@ftlauderdalepd) August 9, 2020
“This is a senseless shooting. This shouldn’t have happened, where ultimately it ended up impacting a young child who was out here innocently, said Frank Sousa, assistant chief for Fort Lauderdale Police.
Police said Johnson confessed to his role in the shooting after being identified by a witness.
The incident happened around 6:40 p.m. Saturday, near the Broward Transit Center, just north of Broward Boulevard.
Police sealed off the area where the woman and child were shot while searching for clues.
In a separate but connected incident, Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies were conducting surveillance at a home located at 3270 NW 18th Place in Lauderhill several hours after the initial shooting when someone drove up to the home and opened fire.
Two people were taken into custody in reference to the second shooting, but the identities of those suspects have yet to be released by authorities.
Police later confirmed that the Lauderhill home was the last known address for Johnson, and it’s where he was taken into custody.
Investigations continue into both shootings.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to contact Fort Lauderdale Police at (954) 764-4357 or Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-8477.