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Man Killed By Stray Shot In Warehouse Triple Shooting

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A murder investigation is underway after three bodies were found in a warehouse in northeast Miami-Dade.

Family members say one of the men killed was the owner of the business. He had apparently tried to stop an argument but lost his life when he was hit by a stray bullet. His niece told CBS4 that he was a "very good guy who didn't deserve that."

Police received a call around 9:45 p.m. Wednesday about shots fired in the area of 184th Street and NE 2nd Avenue.

Arriving officers found a "scene" inside one of the warehouse units off Miami Gardens Drive.

Miami-Dade police there were three bodies inside the unit.

Eustace Cole told CBS4 his 60-year-old brother, Norris Cole, owns the unit. He said he ran it as a clothing store during the day and a hangout for the locals at night.

"I'm very sad. My brother was the good brother," said Eustace Cole.

Eustace Cole said Norris Cole was the youngest of 10 children. He was also the father of four children and love to spend time with his friends.

Eustace Cole said he heard that two guys, who had been arguing for the last couple of days, showed up at Norris Cole's place. When they started to fight, Norris Cole asked them to leave. Eustace Cole said they came back later and their fight escalated.

"He told them to go outside, go outside with it," said Eustace Cole, "And two of them start to shoot. I hear that a stray shot caught him (Norris) in the head."

Eustace Cole said he heard that the two men who were arguing killed each other and his brother died just trying to break up the fight.

"He's not a person who argues and fights. He is always a peacemaker. There's too much violence going on," said Jeanette Thompson, Norris Cole's niece.

As she wept, she told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "He didn't deserve that. Everybody in the family knows that. He would take the shirt off his back and give it to you. He meant so much to us. I was just talking to him last week. He was everything."

Heartbroken over losing his "good" brother, Eustace Cole remained at the warehouse building Thursday morning waiting to talk with the police. He was surrounded by people whose life was touched by a man who will clearly be missed.

"He was such a cool person," said Anima Vona, a friend of Norris Cole. "He was honest, he was helpful, he gave and gave and gave and he didn't ask for anything in return."

Police said they are looking for a silver four-door newer model BMW 5 Series which may be connected to the shooting.

"Whoever knows anything about this should come forward," said Thompson.

So far there has been no official statement from the police about the circumstances that led to the shooting.

The two other men who died have been identified as 31-year-old Evans Jean and 38-year-old Espe Pierre.

Anyone with information about this case should call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).

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