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Arrest Made In Nail Salon Death Of 10-Year Old

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Miami-Dade Police have arrested Anthawn Ragan, Jr. in connection with the deadly armed robbery at a North Dade nail salon last week.

Ragan was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in a white jumpsuit on his 19th birthday after a day of questioning by police.

He faces several charges including first degree murder with a firearm and armed robbery with a firearm for the hold-up and shooting that left 10-year-old Aaron Vu dead.

Vu was remembered by friends and family at an emotional candlelight vigil Tuesday night outside the nail salon where he was shot in cold blood.

"I'm never going to forget Aaron," one of his classmates said through tears in front of a crowd of more than 100 people.

Tears were flowing as those who knew Aaron prayed for peace and understanding.

"He was my best friend. I will miss him," one boy said, his voice cracking as he tried to hold back a sob.

"I'm overwhelmed with emotions. This is so unexpected. We never in a million years would live and see this," Vu's great aunt, Thi Pham, said.

Pham felt some relief knowing police had someone in custody.

Ragan was arrested at a sister's home along NW 53 St. in Miami.

According the arrest form, Ragan tried to hide under the covers in a back bedroom.

When he was taken into custody, police said he was violent, prompting an additional charge of battery on a law enforcement officer.

Security video shows the robbers running out of the nail salon, but not before one last shot was fired.

Sources tell CBS 4 it was that final bullet that killed Aaron Vu.

"I ask every night in the hospital, 'Why, why why did this have to happen? Why couldn't it have just been me," the boy's father, Hai Nam Vu, questioned "They killed an innocent child."

Hai Nam Vu was also shot in the robbery.

In a wheelchair at Jackson Memorial Hospital, he thanked the community for the outpouring of love and support.

"I hope his death will not be in vain. I hope something comes out in the future that will reduce senseless acts of violence," Vu said. "No parents should have to go through the anguish we are going through."

A source tells CBS 4s Jim Defede, Ragan has been arrested before for armed robbery, but the state dropped the charges.

The source said officers from another jurisdiction also interviewed Ragan about another robbery.

Aaron Vu's family and friends hope justice will bring them peace.

"It means the family can have closure and we can start heal," Pham said.

Police have had a chance to review multiple angles of the security video.

An investigative source said, "When you see this video, it will make your blood boil."

He said the shooting was absolutely not provoked.

The source says Ragan is not cooperating with police at this time, so they don't yet have a name of the second robber.

Police are asking the public to come forward with any information.

If you have any details that could help police, call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

Police said the information that led to Ragan's arrest came from an anonymous source.

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