'Unacceptable Attack': Carvalho Calls For Info After Teen Shot In Opa-Locka

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

OPA-LOCKA (CBSMiami) – A 15-year-old is recovering after being shot in the arm and rear end while walking in Opa-Locka.

"Another unacceptable attack on our community's youth. This girl and those she was with could have been killed. If you know something, please speak up," tweeted Miami-Dade County Superintendent Alberto Carvalho Thursday morning.

At the hospital, the father of the 15-year-old was pacing. He didn't want to speak or be on camera but said his daughter would be out of surgery soon.

At the scene of the shooting, a witness described a shootout.

"It was two different types of shots but they were extremely loud and they were pow, pow, pow...them back to back whoever it was they were really trying to go after each other," said the witness.

The shooting happened Wednesday night around 8:30 p.m.

Police say the 15-year-old was walking home with a group of children ages ranging from 8 to 15. They were on Port Said Road near NW 135th Street.

At some point, they heard gunfire and took off running.

A woman who was watching TV with her children heard the shots.

"It was really loud and it looks like it started outside my window and it started moving down the street and whoever it was they must've been chasing each other," said the woman.

Police say the suspect took off.

As police investigate and look for a suspect, another woman in the neighborhood said she wouldn't let her children out at that time of night. She says it all hits close to home.

"It's frightening. It's so close to home. The playground is right there. You want to trust that your kids could come outside and play. This could happen anytime of day," said the woman.

Opa Locka Police Chief James Dobson says the suspect took off on foot and is asking the community to get involved.

"It's time to put the weapons down," said Dobson. "To stop shooting and harming each other and let's educate them Let's move forward and educate our young people not harming with senseless gunfire."

If you know anything about this incident, call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.