Three Juveniles Arrested in Deadly Shooting of Miami Gardens Teen

Three juveniles have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Roderick Sweeting in Miami Gardens.

Miami Gardens Police say the three juveniles were all located at three separate residences on Tuesday and taken into custody.

The suspects, one age 16 and the other two 15, are expected to be charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.

"As Chief and as a father, tragedies like this are heart-wrenching because in total four young lives have been lost. We must continue to work together to bring an end to such senseless and heinous acts of violence," Police Chief Antonio Brooklen said in a statement. "As tragic as this incident is, the Miami Gardens Police Department is committed to the mission of making our community safe. We will not tolerate anyone who threatens the safety of our Residents or our community."

Sweeting, a gifted student who excelled in sciences, was shot and killed just steps away from his front door on Northwest 25th Avenue last Tuesday.

His mother, Tammy Sweeting, said Sweeting and her other son had just been dropped off by a school bus and were headed home when she heard more than a dozen gunshots.

"We can get a little closer knowing that there is going to be justice served and I want to thank Miami Gardens on this case," she said Tuesday. "I haven't been able to sleep, I haven't eaten a proper meal yet. It's taken a toll on us mentally and physically."

For Sweeting, it's a tragedy she's had to endure before. On June 11, 2011, another son, Anthony Thompson, Roderick's older brother, was struck by a stray bullet. That shooting remains a mystery.

She had a simple message for other teens Tuesday: Put down the guns.

"Go to school, get an education, you can see the community is tired of it," she said. "Parents are tired of losing their kids and it shows in my son's case. We're not going to allow you to take another life and just get away with it."

Tammy said the funeral for her son is set up for Saturday.

Police are asking anyone with information to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.


Stay with NBC 6 for updates on this developing story.

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