Miami Gardens Man Murdered While Mowing Lawn
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) -- Surveillance video shows the moments before a 61-year-old man was gunned down while mowing his lawn in Miami Gardens.
CBS4's Peter D'Oench reports the surveillance tape also shows the crime happening and at least one young gunman running away.
Miami Gardens Police do need help from the public in identifying the gunmen. The neighbor who did not want to reveal his identity said the shooters were young and were on foot in the Scott Lake section of the city.
Family members confirm that the victim was 61-year-old Curtis Smith. The shooting happened outside his home at 17630 N.W. 14th Ave. just before 12:30 p.m., according to neighbors and police.
Click here to watch Oralia Ortega's report.
At least three shots were fired. There were at least three yellow markers by shell casings beside the victim's lawn mower.
"I heard something like an explosion, like gunshots," said Linda Reed, who lives nearby.
"I heard the same thing," said neighbor Key Gray. "He was cutting his grass as he often did on his days off. He was such a nice man. This was very sad. This was senseless violence and crazy. This violence is happening every day. It just can't be safe any more. We need answers immediately. This is very sad."
Neighbors Elsie Ferguson and Essie Starkey, who have lived in the neighborhood since 1975, said they are deeply troubled.
"You can see this is a beautiful neighborhood," said Ferguson. "People who come in here say it is gorgeous. This breaks my heart. This did not start happening here until 15 years ago."
Starkey said, "This is terrible and until they do something serious to keep people from committing these crimes, they are going to continue."
Police so far have not released a description of the shooter or shooters.
Anyone with information that can help Miami Gardens Police should call them or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).
There's a reward of up to $3,000 in this case.
