SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – Authorities are investigating after two men in their early 20s were shot and killed in broad daylight, not far from a police substation and just across the street from a community center and park in Miami-Dade County.
A 17-year-old girl was also shot and injured.
Two bodies could be seen covered in yellow tarps in the Southwest Miami Dade neighborhood, where crime scene tape blocked off streets.
The victims were surrounded with evidence markers that lay next to shell casings. The front of the home was riddled with bullets.
Miami-Dade police said they responded to the apartment complex off SW 216th Street and 114th Court just before 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon to reports of shots fired.
When officers arrived, they discovered two men in their 20s shot dead and a 17-year-old-girl with severe injuries after she, too, was hit by the gunfire.
“This was at 2:50 in the afternoon on a Saturday. A lot of people are moving around; somebody had to see something,” Detective Alvaro Zabaleta with Miami-Dade Police said.
According to detectives, three men walked up to the victims, who were standing outside of the apartment, then started shooting before taking off in a car.
Investigators are still working to find out why.
“What was the motive to this? To this shooting. For them to walk up and open fire like that?” Zabaleta asked.
Local 10 was at the scene much of the day as nearby residents and family members consoled one another after learning of the violent murders that happened just across from the Goulds Park Recreation Center.
“We’re looking at two individuals in their 20s just starting their life, we’re looking at a 17 year old female that almost lost her life, in front of a community park at 2:50 in the afternoon on a Saturday,” Zabelta said. “You’re supposed to be enjoying your weekend. If this doesn’t motivate you to call Crimestoppers then I don’t know what will.”
Police are hoping someone comes forward with information as to what led up to this shooting.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS, or submit a tip online here.