Family Asks For Help After 19-Year-Old Shot On El Portal Bridge
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Grieving family members are asking for the public's help after their 19-year-old loved one was gunned down Monday night while trying to cross a footbridge from El Portal to Northwest Miami-Dade.
"He loved me, he loved me, he loved me," cried the grandmother of Lorenzo Moise, who was shot and killed just after 5 p.m. while walking with at least three friends, according to his family.
Moise's uncle, Bony Antoine, told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "He was only 19 years old and his life was cut short. He had a teenage lifestyle we don't agree with but when he was at home, he was a very sweet guy. He had no enemies that I know of."
Antoine told D'Oench that his nephew had fought with some friends recently and records show Moise had been arrested for possessing marijuana but he said his nephew was turning his life around.
"He was talking about trying to get in to the National Guard or go in the military," he said. "He was making a life transition and putting in applications for jobs. He was telling friends on Facebook he was done with this lifestyle."
Moise was not able to get across the footbridge from El Portal to N.W. 85th St. and N.W. 2nd Ave. in Northwest Miami-Dade. That's because the gate was locked. El Portal Police said they lock that gate every night between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.
El Portal neighbors said that is done to reduce foot traffic and crime. The gate is reopened early every morning so youngsters can get across the footbridge to go to school.
Antoine said he hopes detectives will be able to speak with Moise's friends who took off.
"He had a couple of friends with him when this occurred," said Antoine. "So they know something. Either they know something or they were involved."
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"For me four shots being fired at my nephew means one person was after him," said Antoine.
Miami-Dade Police Detective Robin Pinkard said neighbors had told police they heard six shots being fired.
El Portal Police said they can't recall another shooting involving someone taking the footbridge.
Antoine hopes the community will help.
"The only thing I can say to the public is I know how the street is and they don't want to say anything," he said. "But they can call anonymously and don't have to show their face. If you know something, say something. That's all I can say because at the end of the day we have no clue what's going. We need help right now."
Pinkard said police have no information to release on suspects and can use help from the public.
Anyone who can help is urged to call Miami-Dade Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).
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