What to Know
- A man started firing shots in the air Saturday night in Downtown Miami.
- No one was injured.
- The suspect was reportedly holding a child while the shooting was taking place.
Police are investigating a shooting that took place in Downtown Miami Saturday night. Officials said the incident started after an argument, and the gunman was reportedly holding a child.
“I was in the back of the church and all of a sudden I heard gun shots,” said Alexa Mesa, a witness.
Before Holy Saturday service could even start, witnesses said multiple shots rang out in the area of Northeast Second Avenue and First Street.
“It’s terrible. You come here to go to church and that’s what happens,” said Alfredo Ulacia, a witness.
The gunfire sent members of the church scattering in panic and disbelief.
“Everybody ran towards the front. I ran outside looking to see who it was,” said Mesa.
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Mesa called 911 to tell Miami Police of the gunman. Witnesses said what’s even more disturbing is that the man reportedly had a little girl by his side while firing.
“That’s what the lady was screaming, he was with a child,” said Mesa.
According to police, two people were feeding the homeless when they heard a man arguing with a woman. When they tried to intervine to help the female, the man pulled out a gun and began to shoot at them. No one was injured.
“They overheard a commotion and then they approached the subject at which point the subject appeared to get a bit angry and brandish a firearm toward their direction,” said Kiara Delva of City of Miami Police.
Exactly how many shots were fired is not yet clear, but officers were able to track down the weapon used and shooter responsible. The gunman is being held for questioning.
“There are multiple events going on tonight like Heat games and other shows, so this is very much so a concern. Fortunately, no one was struck by any bullets but the situation could have ended a lot differently,” said Delva.
