Police swarmed the streets of downtown Miami after a suspect went on a violent rampage, leaving two people dead and two others injured, detectives said.
According to City of Miami Police, the incident happened in the area of North Miami Avenue and Sixth Street, just before 7 a.m. on Thursday.
“There were several individuals that were attacked. All of them homeless,” said Miami Police Chief M M.
Investigators said the 30-year-old suspect was armed with a stick.
“Our 911 center received a call in reference to a male armed with a stick beating up people,” said M.
Authorities said one person died at the scene, while three others were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where a second victim died.
As for the surviving victims, one is listed in critical condition, and the other is stable.
Tents and body barriers covered the bodies of the victims who lost their lives in this sudden attack.
One of the victims’ bodies was located near the Brightline Station, while another was found down the block on North Miami Avenue.
Near the crime scene, 7News cameras captured a bloody piece of wood with nails sticking out, likely the weapon the suspect used.
Officers spent the morning taking pictures of the bloody aftermath of a gruesome morning all along Sixth Street.
“The offender attacked a homeless male, First Avenue and Northwest Sixth Street, then going eastbound on Sixth Street, approaching North Miami Avenue, encounters another homeless male, which he attacked with a stick as well. Turning his attention across the street, he then attacked a homeless couple that were there,” said M.
Several Crime Scene Investigation vans were parked in the area to collect the evidence left behind.
At this time, it remains unclear what prompted the attack but officers believe they have detained the suspect.
“After a short foot pursuit, the offender was taken into custody,” said M.
Police said the suspect doesn’t have a criminal history in Florida but has a minor offense in New York City.
The suspect’s identity has not been released, and his living status is unknown.
Those who work and live in downtown Miami were shocked about the situation.
“It is concerning,” said M.
“I go upstairs, and I just see everybody looking out the window like, ‘Oh, my God, like someone died!’” said B. “It’s really sad ’cause those people weren’t really doing anything, you know? Like, what do they have? You know? It’s really sad to see that.”
They were also worried about their own safety.
“I tend to worry for my safety when it’s dark, you know? But not to the point where I feel like my life is going to be in danger,” said B.
“Yeah, I was just scared. That was my first reaction. I work here, you know? I make the walk every day,” said M.
But M said downtown Miami remains a safe area for residents and workers.
“Downtown Miami, we just finished closing the new year. This is a tragic circumstance, that is incredibly hard to predict. All I can tell my downtown residents is downtown is safe,” he said. “The Miami Police Department stands ready to guard you and your family.”
Miami Police are looking into why the suspect committed this crime. Officials would not confirm whether or not the suspect was also homeless.
Part of Northwest First Avenue has since reopened, as police continue their investigation.
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source: wsvn
