Police in Miami need the public’s help solving a murder after a teenager was killed in a shooting.
Family and friends say they are mourning the loss of a 17-year-old boy who was killed early Saturday morning.
Danny Alvarez was murdered steps away from his home.
“Called me and I woke up and said Danny died, and I’m like what do you mean Danny died?” said Randy Villalon, a friend of the victim.
Friends were stunned to hear about the violence unfolding around 1 a.m. Saturday along Southwest 31st Avenue and 4th Street in Miami.
“He was my cousin and he got picked up in front of his house from one of his friends and supposedly and got shot. He got shot, ended up getting shot in the lung,” said Joseph Caldes.
Details are murky but investigators tell NBC 6 Alvarez was shot in the back and then driven to Coral Gables Hospital by a friend, but didn’t make it.
Loved ones were visibly distraught outside the hospital. Police also showed up to the hospital to search the Mercedes Benz he was driven in for evidence.
A squad car monitored the scene of the homicide hours later.
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Relatives and friends say Alvarez would have been 18 in March. They are now left waiting for answers.
“He was a good kid and smart kid. Always looked out for you,” said Caldes.
“He was blood to me. We did everything together. I always looked out for him, he always looked out for me,” said Villalon.
On Twitter, Alberto M. Carvalho -- superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools -- said his thoughts and prayers are with Alvarez and his family.
"No matter the motive for this horrific crime, our community has lost another young person before his 18th birthday," Carvalho said. "My prayers and thoughts are with those who love Danny Alvarez."
The investigation is ongoing and a motive for the shooting is not known at this time. Police are urging anyone with information to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
