Man Killed In Miami Gardens Crossfire Described As "Perfect Family Man"
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MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) - A man who died while sitting in a van in front of a Miami Gardens convenience store was killed by a stray bullet from a nearby shooting.
Bered "Ben" Pierre, 38, was in his work vehicle outside the Economy Food Store at 4195 NW 167th Street, when a person with a gun began shooting at two other individuals in the parking lot.
Pierre was struck by an "errant" bullet, according to police and died. One of the two individuals also sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound and was treated and released.
A law enforcement source identified that victim as 20-year-old Lamont Snyder and said he was shot in the leg. CBS4 was on the scene as he was taken away on a gurney by paramedics at N.W. 39th Ave. and 169th Court.
Pierre had just turned 38-years old last Saturday.
Pierre's brother-in-law David Ferguson told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "Ben was a perfect example of a perfect family man. He gave his all to his 3-year-old and 5-year-old sons. He was a man of God and committed to getting people know Christ. He would give you the shirt off his back."
"To the people who did this, he wouldn't have had an ill heart," said Ferguson. "He was very forgiving. "Whoever did this we just ask that you turn yourself in. I hope someone will say something. You can remain anonymous. Hopefully someone will have some information," said Ferguson.
Pierre worked for American Fasteners – a South Florida based company that supplies nuts, bolts, screws and other construction material.
"We are lost for words in shock and grief, for his senseless death, as he was gunned down, while working his route in Miami Gardens," Manny Benitez, president of American Fasteners, posted on his Facebook page. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. May he rest in peace!"
Benitez told D'Oench, "It's definitely hit us very hard. We are a family here and we loved Ben. He has only been with us six months but I can say he touched all of us with his happy spirit. He was always willing to help everybody. It was just a senseless loss because he was basically just doing his job and happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. This was a great individual and a great family person. This family has lost someone very dear to them."
"It is not acceptable the way that people are just being gunned down just because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.
Anyone with information that can help police should call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477). There is a reward of up to $3,000.
