Teens Arrested In Death Of Student In Miami Gardens
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MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) – Authorities have arrested three teens accused of murdering a 17-year-old student in Miami Gardens.
Miami Gardens police along with federal marshals arrested three suspects Tuesday morning. They were arrested at three different residences and are facing charges of first degree murder and attempted first degree murder.
They identify them as 15-year-old Devon Vickers, 15-year-old Quamaine McMillian and 16-year-old Rachid Jacques.
Miami Gardens Police Chief Antonio Brooklen released a statement on Twitter regarding the arrests.
— Chief A. Brooklen (@brooklen_a) April 12, 2016
CBS4's Peter D'Oench stopped at all three of their homes and while no answered the door at two residences, the parents of McMillian told him they had hired an attorney.
Tammy Sweeting, the mother of Roderick Sweeting, said, "First of all I want to thank God and praise glory for the arrests. We can get a little closure knowing that there is going to be justice. I also want to thank Miami Gardens Police. I am happy they are off the street.
"He meant the world to us. He meant the world to me. I have not able to sleep or eat a proper meal for a week. It has taken a toll on all of us. We have been hearing time and time again put your guns down. All I can say to young men is to go to school and get an education. We are not going to allow you to take away another life. You need to think about what you do before you act."
The boys arrested for the death of Roderick Sweeting are believed to be part of a gang known as the Cloverleaf Boys, according to our news partners at the Miami Herald.
"I have no knowledge of that," said Tammy Sweeting.
She said she planned to follow all of the court cases for the suspects.
"I want to see them and ask them why," she said. "I want to see their faces and ask them why."
The North Miami-Dade high school student was gunned down April 5th while walking with his 15-year-old brother. Witnesses say he was hit by a barrage of gunfire near N.W. 176th Street and 25th Avenue.
Related: Miami Gardens Mom Speaks Out After Losing Second Son To Gun Violence
Authorities believe his death may have been part of an ongoing gang feud, sources told the paper.
This is the second time Sweeting's mother Tammy had lost a child. A year ago, her oldest son died after being struck in the head by a bullet.
She said her faith has kept her strong.
"God, that's all I can say," she said. "God's strength and mercy. It has helped me now. I pray all the time and we are a religious family."
Police have not said why Roderick Sweeting was killed.
The Miami Herald is also reporting that the gang feud is also behind a shooting on the Palmetto Expressway in Miami Gardens last month.
Following his death, another teen was killed hours later in Little Havana.
Their deaths are just part of what leaders in Miami-Dade County are seeing as a growing problem of youth on youth crime.
Last week, Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes said there is a growing problem of violent threats and fights being discussed by teens on social media.
"The digital violence has increased tremendously in the past year," Llanes said in a statement posted on YouTube. "Social media is the new bookbag. We need to see what our children are doing, what they're saying, who they're communicating with and who they're associating with."
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