Miami

Teen Shooter of Toddler Heads to Court

The suspected shooter of a 3-year-old Liberty City girl had his case go before a judge Wednesday, but will have to wait to find out if he will be charged as an adult.

The 16-year-old alleged shooter was arrested Tuesday on charges of attempted second-degree murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling, and use of a firearm in a felony. The teen wasn't in court Wednesday.

Police said the shooting began as a dispute between neighbors and ended with shots being fired in an apartment building near NW 62nd Street and 12th Avenue around 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Witnesses told detectives a teen known by the street name of “Hotdog” was the shooter.

“’E-man’ was complaining about ‘Hotdog’ brandishing firearms in the building around children,” said Miami Police Detective Elvis Diaz. “’Hotdog’ took offense, produced a firearm and began shooting at ‘E-man.’ She shouted for him to stop because there were children there, but he continued to shoot, striking her daughter in the foot.”

The toddler, identified as Ayanna Daniels, was outside playing with her brother and friends when she was shot in the leg, family members said. She was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital where doctors removed a bullet from her leg. She has since been released from the hospital.

Prosecutors said they will determine in the next two weeks if the 16-year-old suspected shooter will be charged as an adult or as a juvenile.

Contact Us