MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The investigation into the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy in Miami Gardens is ongoing.
Authorities said a gun was located outside of the Northwest 207th Street home where the shooting occurred, though it’s unclear if that’s the firearm that was used in the shooting.
Family members and friends are planning to celebrate the life of George Harris Jr., who was killed after being struck by a bullet on Saturday night while playing video games with friends.
There are still many questions lingering surrounding the teen’s death.
Tributes have been posted to social media mourning Harris.
“As of right now, it seems as if there were kids playing with a firearm,” said Miami Gardens Police Sgt. Emmanuel Jeanty.
Police rushed to home around 7:40 p.m. when they found the teenager with a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
Eventually, Harris was airlifted to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in critical condition. He died hours later.
“A lot of people do have firearms these days and it’s up to us to ensure that if we’re going to have firearms in our home, to keep them locked up and to make sure that they stay away from the reach of kids,” said Jeanty. “I can tell you that the police department, we do give out gun locks and we give out different types of kits to family members and homeowners to keep these firearms locked under the reach of kids because our children’s safety is our top priority.”
Harris’ mother has taken to social media, writing “It is very difficult to find words that adequately express our thoughts,” while asking for privacy.
Family members have planned a vigil for Wednesday.
There have been no arrests as detectives continue investigating the shooting.