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Candlelight Vigil Planned For Poet Gunned Down In N. Miami

NORTH MIAMI (CBS4) – Friends and family of a South Florida poet are planning a candlelight vigil outside of the Literary Café and Poetry Lounge Monday beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Willie Bell Junior was shot and killed around 12:30 a.m. Sunday as he closed up his lounge on the 900 block of NE 125th Street.

According to police, someone drove up and the passenger got out of the car and shot Bell multiple times.

North Miami Police said that multiple suspects were possibly seen leaving the scene in a dark colored vehicle with a spoiler on the rear, or a light colored car.

"At this time, we don't have a motive but we can tell you that nothing was taken. He had jewelry on him, money on him, his car keys, so we're looking for why this happened," said North Miami public information officer Neil Cuevas.

According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Bell had appeared on HBO's Def Poetry Jam recently. Bell was known as "Da Real One," and had also been featured on Rick Ross' and Pit Bull's albums.

Bell had been on the wrong side of the law in the past. He had been arrested for exploiting a disabled or elderly person and for writing a worthless check.

Police said that several customers at the lounge were in the area at the time of the shooting.

"If you all know anything, seen anything, please come forward," said his half-sister Sandra Vicks who was barely able to speak. "Please. Please. He didn't deserve this. He didn't."

If you have any information about the shooting death call North Miami Police at 305-891-8111 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

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