Miami

Teen Victim Identified in Fatal Shooting At L.A. Fitness Parking Lot in Aventura

No arrests made in shooting of Omar Darwish, 18,

For the mother of 18-year-old Omar Darwish, the pain is unbearable. He was killed in a shooting outside an LA Fitness in Aventura.

"They tell me to be strong, but I cannot," said Animara Perez, the victim’s mother.

Her son was fatally shot late Friday night at the parking lot of an LA Fitness on Northeast 207th Street in Avenutra. The gym was closed at the time.

Childhood friends of Darwish gathered less than a block away from his mother’s home in Homestead.

Heartfelt messages were written on balloons by classmates like Victoria Mancera, who tried to hold back tears as best as she could.

“Omar was always there. Always, always there for me,” said Mancera.

Other childhood friends like Carolyn Christensen are still in disbelief. She said Darwish texted her an hour before the shooting to say he was coming to Homestead to visit her.

“I’ve been crying all day about it. Just thinking like is he really gone? Thinking he’s going to come through the door and just I’m here – but nope,” said Christensen.

The deadly crime is still under investigation. Police are on the lookout for a white Mercedes Benz hatchback. Investigators say the car could be connected to Omar’s death.

“I want my son back, but I know that won’t happen. It’s irreversible,” said Perez.

Police have not confirmed Darwish’s identity as the victim of this crime.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Aventura Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

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