Mother Demands Justice Following Dade Train Tracks Shooting
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A mother is demanding justice after her teen son was critically injured and another was killed in a shooting in Miami over the weekend.
"They just walk up and kill people in different neighborhoods. God didn't give people the right to take people's lives," said Kimberly Oshell.
Oshell is angry that her 15-year-old son, Deon Fowles, is now hospitalized at the Ryder Trauma Center after he and his 16-year-old friend, La'Nard Wilcher, were shot late Saturday night. Wilcher did not survive.
"I just want the violence to stop and justice for my son," said Oshell. "I feel terrible for all kids who have lost their lives. My son got shot but he didn't lose his life."
Miami-Dade police said they got a call of a reported shooting just before midnight near NW 73rd Street and NW 19th Court.
Police said when they got to the scene they found 15-year-old Fowles suffering from gunshot wounds. Rescue crews rushed Fowles to the hospital for emergency surgery.
"He said he heard the gun shots and his friends ran in different directions. He ran to somebody's car and asked for help," Oshell told CBS4's Peter D'Oench.
She said her son could have been killed.
"He was shot here in the back and it came out through part of his liver and there are blood clots," she said.
The next day, a passerby near the scene spotted the dead body of a 16 year old and called 911. That teen was later identified as Wilcher.
The incident prompted a tweet from Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho who said the "carnage continues in Miami-Dade," adding "only the people's voice will stop community violence. Stand up and speak up. See something. Know something. Say something."
Pastor Eric Readon of the New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church is offering counseling to the families of both victims, saying, "We have to speak up to stop this violence. We could have lost two lives here. People need to step up, step forward and say something to help."
The shooting remains under investigation, but investigators have been able to piece some of it together.
They said a group of men approached Fowles, Wilcher and two others and began shooting at them as they walked along the train tracks.
Oshell said her son did not know the shooters or why this incident happened. She said she thought he would remain at Jackson Memorial Hospital for at least a few more days.
Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.
There's a reward of up to $3,000.
