FLORIDA CITY, Fla. – A 22-year-old man from Florida City surrendered to authorities Wednesday night after he shot another man who was attempting to intervene in a fight between a group of teenage girls, authorities said.
According to an arrest report, Kentarian Lamont Cross was arrested at 7:15 p.m. on a second-degree murder charge.
Miami-Dade police said the shooting happened around 7:19 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Northwest 14th Street and First Court.
Cellphone video shows a group of teenage girls fighting before a single gunshot is heard.
According to the arrest report, one of the girls involved in the fight was the victim’s daughter.
He was shot after trying to intervene, authorities said.
The victim has since been identified as Johnny Stevenson Jr., 47.
According to the report, he was taken by private vehicle to Baptist Homestead Hospital before being airlifted to Jackson South Medical Center, where he died in surgery.
“We looked up to him. All his kids looked up to him – everybody, to be honest. He was just that person,” Stevenson’s cousin told Local 10 News.
Police said witnesses identified Cross as the gunman, and a photo also showed him in possession of a gun prior to the shooting.
The fight between the juveniles allegedly started on a school bus and made its way onto the street.
On Wednesday night, Miami-Dade Public Schools released a statement, which read:
“Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is aware of a video clip involving students from Homestead Senior High School engaging in an altercation on a school bus. The school’s administration is reviewing the matter, and the students involved will be disciplined according to the Code of Student Conduct. At M-DCPS, the well-being and safety of our students is of the utmost importance. This school district goes to great lengths to promote the values of restraint and respect as well as using social media responsibly. We ask that parents reinforce these principles at home.”
Stevenson’s family told Local 10 off camera that he was a loving father of 14 children, who was also known as Bobo.
According to the report, Cross invoked his Miranda rights after surrendering and did not make any statements to detectives.
During a court hearing on Thursday, Cross’ defense attorney argued that Cross acted in self-defense during the fatal shooting.
“At the time of the alleged shooting, he (Cross) was being choked by the person who later became deceased,” the attorney said.
As of Thursday morning, he was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He appeared in court Thursday and was ordered held without bond.
WARNING: Graphic footage. Cellphone video also contains language some may find offensive. Viewer discretion is advised.
Local 10 News reporter Terrell Forney contributed to this story.