FLORIDA CITY, Fla. – A man has died after he was found lying on a sidewalk in Florida City Thursday morning with a gunshot wound to the chest, authorities confirmed to Local 10 News.
According to Florida City police Sgt. David Hunsberger, officers responded to the area of Palm Drive and U.S. 1 just after 7:40 a.m. after receiving a gunshot detection alert.
Noon report:
Miami-Dade police, who took over the investigation, later confirmed to Local 10 News that the man was killed during an apparent family-related dispute.
They said the incident began when a red pickup truck, carrying two occupants including the victim, was traveling along Southwest 344th Street. The truck stopped, and the passenger exited the vehicle, police said.
Moments later, another vehicle pulled over nearby, and its driver confronted the passenger from the red pickup. The two exchanged words before shots were fired. The suspect then fled the scene, according to authorities.
According to Hunsberger, the victim was airlifted by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to Jackson South Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Police have not released his identity.
Witnesses at the scene told police they believe the people in the red pickup truck may have been relatives of the victim. Detectives are actively searching for the shooter, and the investigation remains ongoing.
No other details about the shooting were immediately known.
Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.