MIAMI — A corrections officer is among the three people who died early Sunday morning in a “targeted shooting” at a graduation party at a South Florida hookah lounge, investigators said.
Miami-Dade police said two cars, a Chevy Malibu and a Toyota Camry, pulled into a strip mall parking lot around 2 a.m. and its occupants opened fire out front of a hookah lounge as the party was ending, WTVJ reported.
#MDPD PIO is currently responding to a shooting in the area of 109 Avenue SW 104 Street. Please avoid the area due to increase of police presence. More information to follow. pic.twitter.com/6hSHJPYWvl
— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) June 6, 2021
Two people died when a car leaving the shooting crashed into a wall across the street at the Kendall campus of Miami Dade College. A firearm was found inside the car. The identities of the two men found inside have not been released, WPLG reported.
A state corrections officer was taken to a hospital, where she died. Her identity has not been released.
Six other people were injured by gunfire. They were taken to various hospitals and are in stable condition, WSVN reported.
There are two businesses at the strip mall, a restaurant and a hookah lounge.
The shooting comes a week after shooters opened fire outside a concert at a Miami-Dade banquet hall, killing three people and injuring 21 others.
“We all have to band together. This violence has to stop,” police director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez III said. “And this is extremely frustrating. Every weekend is the same thing.”
Our community was again painfully struck by gun violence overnight. No one is immune, this shooting took the life of a correctional officer. We all have the responsibility to report these killers. My deepest condolences to those affected by this intentional act of violence.
— Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez III (@MDPD_Director) June 6, 2021
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava promised justice for the victims of the latest act of gun violence.
“Protecting the safety and well-being of all Miami-Dade families and swiftly bringing those responsible to justice is our most urgent priority,” she said. “We will not allow a small group of violent actors to terrorize our community, and violent offenders will face the full weight of the law.”
I’m horrified by this tragedy & heartbroken for the loved ones of those we lost. We will not allow a small group of violent actors to terrorize our community. We must protect the safety and wellbeing of all Miami-Dade families and swiftly bring all those responsible to justice. https://t.co/4AxDdnNmFZ
— Daniella Levine Cava (@MayorDaniella) June 6, 2021
County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, who represents the area, called the latest incident horrifying.
“I can’t imagine the horror for these families when a celebration of their young graduates is marred by such unspeakable violence,” Regalado said. “This incident is proof that gun violence knows no boundaries in our Miami-Dade community.”
3 People, Including Corrections Officer, Killed in Shooting After SW Miami-Dade Grad Party https://t.co/5IznKv16VU
— NBC 6 South Florida (@nbc6) June 6, 2021
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