Fort Lauderdale Police units responded to a call of a possible shooting late Wednesday night at 17 South Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, at around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Upon their arrival, officers located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound.

Officers secured the scene, and tactical medical aid was immediately given to the teen, who was later identified as Joshua Gipson Jr.

Cellphone video captured the moment panic spread, as witnesses ran for cover.

“That’s real deal, better get down,” a man is heard saying in the video.

Jeff Saylor told 7News he heard gunshots ring out.

“I heard another shot, a couple of shots, I believe about five total,” said Saylor.

Investigators said someone began shooting outside the CVS pharmacy in the Beach Place complex.

Some witnesses recognized that the popping sounds weren’t fireworks going off in the sky.

“And I said, ‘That’s not fireworks,'” said Bob McDonald, another witness. “It scared the heck out of me.”

Guests at a nearby hotel even received a text message from the building’s management warning them to stay indoors.

“It was alarming, right, because you don’t know what’s going on, you know. In this day and age, you don’t know what it is or what it could be,” said Chris Pate.

Paramedics with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue promptly transported Gipson, who had just turned 17, as a trauma alert to Broward Health Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The teen’s grieving father, Joshua Gipson Sr., said his son was out with friends when he believes the teen was caught in the crossfire.

“He was doing the right thing, he didn’t have no problems,” he said. “An innocent bystander. Some people were arguing when the shooting started and he got shot.”

One witness who did not wish to be identified told 7News the shooting appeared to happen after two people got into an argument, but authorities have not made any conclusions.

“A guy, he just passed away right there, he just got shot,” said the witness. “I’m 18 years old, and I saw him, he was 17 years old, and it just broke my heart seeing that.”

“I just hate it happened,” said a longtime friend of the teen who did not wish to be identified.

The elder Gipson said his son was a football player for several South Florida high school teams and planned to attend Virginia Tech.

“He made good choices in life, you know what I’m saying? He wasn’t making anything bad,” he said.

A lifelong friend of Gipson, who asked not to be identified or show his face on camera, said the two had known each other since they were kids who played football together.

“He was funny, he was fun to be around, he was always a happy soul. He was a good person,” he said.

Detectives have not shared many details but said they believe this to be an isolated incident.

Gipson’s death comes a few days after, police said, five people were hurt in a shooting just a few miles away, in downtown Fort Lauderdale’s Himmarshee Village district.

Detectives said someone started shooting outside Dicey Riley’s Irish Pub on Southwest Second Street, off Third Avenue, at around 2 a.m. on Sunday.

The FBI has since joined forces with local police, as they work to track down who was behind this overnight shooting.

As for Gipson’s loved ones, they are still trying to make sense of it all.

“I went blank. I don’t know how to – it’s just crazy,” said his friend. “I mean, I expected a lot on New Year’s night, but when it’s one of your peoples, or one of your old friends or somebody you grew up with, you don’t know what to think.”

The victim’s mother described him as the kind of kid that younger children looked up to and that he was fearless.

The incident remains under investigation.

A GoFundMe has been created to assist the family with funeral expenses. If you would like to donate, click here.

If you have additional information regarding this shooting or the gunman’s whereabouts, please contact Detective J. Sanchez of the homicide unit at 954-828-4900 or call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

The prime minister spent Wednesday morning meeting with evangelical leaders at his hotel before heading to the Shul of Bal Harbour, located at 9540 Collins Ave., to attend the event.

Netanyahu met with lawmakers, Jewish and community leaders, and local students at the event.

As a result, Collins Avenue was closed to vehicular and foot traffic between 93rd and 96th streets, with nearby streets also facing impacts, Surfside officials said.

Street parking was already off limits at 6 a.m., as police prepared to shut down the roadway; those closures began at around 10 a.m.

In preparation for the road closure, Surfside officials said, trucks started to be turned around by 86th and 87th streets at around 8 a.m.

7Skyforce hovered above bumper-to-bumper traffic along Collins Avenue near the synagogue, late Wednesday morning. Cars were forced to turn around as the roadway remained closed.

Some passersby who spoke with 7News were happy with Netanyahu’s appearance.

“Very excited to see, very nice to see him out and about this morning,” said Ben Garner. “A very exciting New Year’s Eve.”

“It is wonderful, it’s unbelievable, it’s a dream, and it seems like it’s going to be better for Israel ad better for Hamas,” said a man.

Some residents were not as happy to see the prime minister, as a group of pro Palestine supporters gathered to protest against Netanyahu.

Deputies broke up a small confrontation that broke out between demonstrators and supporters.

The high-profile visit comes just days after Netanyahu’s meeting with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, which has since been characterized as a strong display of unity.

“There’s very little difference in what we’re looking at and where we want to be, where we want to go,” Trump said Monday.

During that meeting, the president vowed to rebuild Gaza “as quickly as we can,” but only if Hamas disarms.

“They’re going to be given a very short period of time to disarm, but if they don’t disarm — as they agreed to do, they agreed to it — then there’ll be hell to pay, for them, and we don’t want that,” said Trump.

Israeli officials maintained they won’t withdraw more troops from Gaza until Hamas demobilizes.

Trump pushed back when asked whether Netanyahu is stalling.

“Israel’s lived up to the plan, 100%,” he said.

Israeli media reported that Netanyahu is expected to fly back to Israel Thursday afternoon.

The roads around Surfside have since been reopened.

Speaking with 7News on Tuesday, Juan Alcocer said the victims in Monday evening’s crash were his little brother, his cousin and a family friend.

“I didn’t believe it. I didn’t want to believe it,” he said.

Late Tuesday morning, Alcocer visited the spot along the 1600 block of North Federal Highway where, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said, the victims were killed.

“It’s unbelievable still, still trying to cope with it, you know,” he said. “Devastating, right now, it’s unbelievable.”

“It’s just, it’s a real sad situation,” said a family friend. “We really wanted to come out here to show respect and support.”

Alcocer identified the victims as his 18-year-old younger brother, Richard Manuel Alcocer; their 16-year-old cousin, Miguel Montes; and their 15-year-old family friend, Ruben Balthazar, known to loved ones as Junior.

“They were like the Three Musketeers, always together, every day, always together,” said Alcocer.

“I just came here to see how it happened, for real. They sure was joyful, you feel me? They spread good around them,” said Williamson Joseph, a friend of the victims. “Junior, he was a respectful child, Miguel, he was a funny kid, and Richard, he was fun to hang around with.”

A cousin of the victims, Maria Gonzales, also spoke out on her family’s loss.

“Three Musketeers, like they always hanged out together, every day; that’s why they named them the Three Musketeers,” she said. “They’re all gonna be missed.”

Investigators said the victims’ white BMW lost control and crashed into a bus stop and concrete pole.

Witnesses Jessica and Jerry Garcia described what they saw.

“The white car in particular was flying by to try and make the light. The light was already yellow turning to red, and he flew by,” said Jerry.

Deputies said the white car collided with another car before crashing into the light pole and the bus stop.

“So loud, it was so loud, like we’ve just – we’ve been shaking.” said Jessica.

Cellphone video captured first responders as they worked quickly to remove the three victims from the vehicle as nearby drivers watched in fear.

Paramedics rushed the patients to Broward Health North.

“Sadly, all three were pronounced deceased,” said BSO spokesperson Carey Codd. “To have three young people die in a crash like this, it absolutely breaks your heart.”

Alcocer said their families found out about the crash because the mother of one of the victims got an alert on her phone.

“It notified her that her son, they were going super fast. All of a sudden, it stopped, and it stayed there for quite some time,” he said. “And they tried calling. No pickup, nothing.”

The crash left the bus stop torn apart and the light pole on its side, with shattered glass thrown about the sidewalk.

“We have teenage boys, and so, for us, this is just so painful,” said Jessica.

Deputies shut down a portion of North Federal Highway for hours. Their investigation lasted well into the night.

“They are taking witness statements, gathering evidence, looking for video that will help them try and understand what led up to this tragedy,” said Codd.

Tuesday morning, crews removed the debris left behind.

Family members told 7News all three victims were students at Blanche Ely High School, with Richard having graduated this past spring.

Detectives stated that excessive speed from the driver of the sedan may have been a contributing factor in the crash, as they continue their investigation.

According to investigators, the deputy involved received an alert about a vehicle theft in Northwest Miami-Dade, just before 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Some time later, authorities said, the deputy located the vehicle and tried to pull over the motorist at the intersection of Northwest 95th Street and 17th Avenue.

Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz discussed the incident at a news conference held Monday morning.

“[The deputy] initiated the traffic stop, and I know that that’s what preempted the entire situation,” she said.

As the deputy approached the vehicle, detectives said, an argument broke out, forcing the deputy to shoot out the car.

The driver fled the scene, investigators said, The vehicle was found nearby with a gun inside shortly after, but the subject was nowhere to be found.

Back at the scene of the traffic stop, just steps from Miami Central Senior High School, 7News cameras captured a heavy law enforcement presence, with part of the roadway closed off while crime scene investigators combed the scene for clues.

The deputy involved was not hurt as a result of this altercation. It’s unclear whether or not the subject was injured.

“At this time, it’s still a pretty ongoing investigation. The subject is at large,” said Cordero-Stutz.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation into this deputy-involved shooting.

If you have any information on this shooting or the subject’s whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, 26-year-old Jamisha Shamari Sylvain created a false identity, working as a caregiver to gain access to the homes of elderly residents and steal their bank cards to withdraw thousands of dollars from their account.

“[She] posed as a caregiver to prey on elderly victims and steal thousands of dollars from them,” said BSO spokeswoman Miranda Grossman.

The alleged con began in October at the B’nai B’rith Apartments complex in Deerfield Beach.

Investigators say Sylvain posed as a caregiver to get past security at the assisted-living facility and gain access to seniors’ apartment units.

In one instance, she managed to steal one elderly man’s debit card and later withdrew $1,600 from his account at an ATM, according to the police report.

Authorities say he wasn’t her only victim.

“She had done similar, sadly, similar crimes with additional elderly victims in that same apartment complex and possibly surrounding complexes,” said Grossman.

On Wednesday, the 26-year-old appeared before a judge.

“In one probable cause affidavit, the alleged victim, 84-years-old. In the second probable cause affidavit, the victim, 85-years-old. The third probable cause affidavit, a 91-year-old,” a prosecutor told the judge. “In every single case, she gained entry to their home under false pretenses, perpetrating a fraud, seeking to victimize them and she was targeting these individuals. In one case, she targeted a blind woman and took advantage of her disability to defraud her.”

The prosecution argued for the judge to set a hefty bond for Sylvain along with having her fitted with an ankle monitor.

“So your honor, I think these bonds are necessary and appropriate to ensure and deter her from even thinking about continuing this criminal behavior,” the prosecutor said.

Sylvain’s defense attorney argued a harsh penalty wasn’t necessary because she had no passport and would not attempt to flee.

The judge ultimately agreed with the prosecution, leaving Sylvain behind bars for the time being.

Her bond was set at just over $100,000. When she does post bond, she will be placed under house arrest and won’t be allowed to access the internet. She was also ordered to stay away from the elderly and vulnerable.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced the arrest of 40-year-old Mario Martinez during a press conference held Tuesday.

Fernandez Rundle said Martinez used his position at the bank and close relations with a disabled client to steal thousands of dollars from her.

“Martinez utilized the victim’s trust and his bank position to allegedly steal over half a million dollars,” said Fernandez Rundle.

According to investigators, it happened at the Bank of America located along Southwest 136th Street, where Martinez worked at in 2024.

Martinez allegedly convinced the client to entrust him with managing her money, using a joint account to transfer her money to himself.

“His scheme included opening a joint account in both their names in order for him to move money into his own account,” said Fernandez Rundle.

The woman, who suffers from a chronic disorder that leaves her unable to walk, told detectives she had no idea that Martinez had made the account.

“Our victim indicated that she was unaware of any of this activity, and obviously she did not authorize the opening of the joint account,” said Fernandez Rundle.

Investigators said the branch opened an internal investigation after discovering what appeared to be fraudulent activity.

They said that during that investigation, Martinez confessed and then quit his job at the bank.

A spokesperson for Bank of America provided a statement on the arrest to 7News:

Whenever we learn of potential wrongdoing, we promptly investigate, fully cooperate with regulators and law enforcement, and work with the client to compensate them for any harm caused by an employee. Putting clients first and protecting client assets have been guiding principles since our founding more than 100 years ago.

Martinez reportedly also attempted to contact the victim several times in an apparent attempt to convince her to not report the crime to authorities, according to police.

“He tried several times to contact our victim via telephone and even contacted our victim’s aides to speak with her,” said Fernandez Rundle. “One of her aides in her house saw him deliver a gift basket at her home. This gift basket from Martinez was an effort to persuade her against reporting this theft to the police.”

With the former banker now in custody, Fernandez Rundle said this arrest is a reminder for the community to keep an eye out for vulnerable members who could fall prey to fraudulent schemes.

“We will not tolerate the victimization of our vulnerable residents, and we will do whatever is necessary to protect them,” said Fernandez Rundle.

“Exploiting someone because of their disability or vulnerability is unacceptable,” said Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz. “We will aggressively pursue those who prey on others.”

Martinez remains behind bars, and he appeared before a judge on Wednesday.

He faces multiple charges, including exploitation of a disabled person, organized fraud and first-degree grand theft.

The letter from the religious leaders is the latest in a continued campaign by the church to try to convince the government to be more humane when it comes to their treatment of immigrants who come to the Unites States illegally.

Many of the bishops in the U.S. who have been appointed by the Pope have been critics of the president.

“Don’t be the Grinch that stole Christmas,” Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski said in a news conference held Monday.

Wenski, along with the rest of Florida’s Catholic bishops, called for a pause on immigration enforcement during the holy week of Christmas.

“That could help a lot to lower the temperature in our nation, but also it will help the families of our community to be able to gather together and celebrate Christmas with their families,” Wenski said.

The letter was penned by the church’s leadership in Florida. It pleads with Trump and DeSantis for a pause, citing the border being secure and the fact that hundreds of thousands of people have already been deported or have left voluntarily.

Pope Leo XIV has publicly taken a pro-immigrant stance.

“I think we have to look for ways of treating people humanely,” he said previously in a statement to the press.

The pontiff supported his bishops who have criticized Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdown.

“When people are living good lives — and many of them for 10, 15, 20 years — to treat them in a way that is extremely disrespectful, to say the least, and there’s been some violence, unfortunately, I think that the bishops have been very clear in what they’ve said,” the pope said.

“Give people these two weeks to be with their families without fear of being arrested or taken into custody and ending up at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ at Krome or other places to await deportation,” Wenski said. “It’s a very simple request: a pause during the Christmas holidays.”

Two recently appointed religious leaders have also shown a shift in views on immigration, with New York bishop-elect Ronald Hicks, and Palm Beach bishop-elect Manuel De Jesus Rodriguez

“The church supports the authorities efforts to enforce migration laws, but the church is also all for the respect due to the human dignity of migrants,” said Rodriguez.

Wenski was also asked whether he thinks he will receive a response from either the president or the governor or whether their plea will be convincing. He said he is hopeful that the Christmas spirit is a powerful one.

“The majority of people that are being removed are people with no criminal records. Give us a pause, let people celebrate the holiday in peace with their families, and without fear.” said Wenski.

7DroneForce captured a bird’s-eye view of the wreck near Northwest Seventh Street and 30th Avenue, just after 8 a.m. on Friday.

City of Miami Police units responded to the scene of the three-vehicle crash near Northwest Seventh Street and 30th Avenue, at around 4:20 a.m.

According to investigators, a white pickup side-swiped a gray Nissan just before colliding head-on into a white Ford Crown Victoria, sending debris everywhere.

The white Crown Victoria was seen with its front completely destroyed after it slammed into a pole, while the Nissan sedan careened into a used car lot after the driver plowed through a green gate. The white pickup was seen parked on a sidewalk.

Paramedics transported the victims, ages 31, 35 and 79, to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Detectives said the 31-year-old patient is in serious condition and the 35-year-old is stable.

Authorities say the 79-year-old, who was driving the Crown Victoria, succumbed to his injuries.

Officials say he lived at a retirement community just a few blocks away from the crash.

Residents there were heartbroken to hear the news.

“He was a very good person,” one resident said in Spanish.

“We are really sad, devastated,” said social services coordinator Diana Villalba. “Very decent, very gentle man.”

Back at the scene, officers shut down Northwest Seventh Street between 30th Place and 32nd Avenue but it has since reopened.

Police say the other two drivers are expected to be OK.

They also say there are charges pending for the driver of the pickup truck.

The Sunbeam Polar Express made several stops across Miramar on Thursday to bring holiday cheer to families and children of all ages.

7News cameras captured Santa Claus sitting in his famous chair, watching the deserving children receive their gifts, and then smiling for photos with them.

It is all part of a partnership between Sunbeam Properties, the Tenants at Miramar Park of Commerce, and Miramar Police. Thursday’s event was the 10th annual Polar Express.

“We have about 80 tenants each year at the Miramar Park of Commerce that participate in this annual Polar Express toy drive,” said Sunbeam Properties Vice President Ryan Goggins. “We count on donations from them and then partner with the City of Miramar Police Department to help distribute.”

While last year the Sunbeam Polar Express collected roughly 3,000 toys, this year, organizers said they collected over 7,000 toys to deliver to these families.

“We have families that really, truly need it and that would benefit from it so we are grateful,” said Yeddi Rodriguez, owner of Life Learning Academy.

Those families in attendance said the event helps them out during this holiday season.

“I’m very appreciative that my children are appreciative and they’re happy and Christmas came early. It’s tough times right now, so this was really worth it. And I’m just thankful for the community coming together,” said a mother.

“Honestly. It’s just great. It’s a great thing they’re doing. Everybody’s getting a chance to get a gift. So for the moms like me, in need, I have twins, so I’m a single mom. But it’s great. It’s great,” said a second mother.

Some of the children were amazed at how many gifts they received.

“I was just expecting maybe one or two gifts. I didn’t expect all of this already,” said one child who was carrying four gifts, including an Uno card set and a football.

Even Santa gave his thoughts on the event to 7News.

“These guys sharing and doing their job and doing extra stuff like this,” he said.

Miramar Police Chief Delrish Moss said the community comes together during events like these.

“The reason we can even do this is because the community came together and at the end of the day, that’s what this is all about. It’s about community,” said Moss. “This gives us an opportunity to go when they’re at their best and to spread a little joy.”

With multiple trucks being unloaded, Brent Steffan with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 189 said seeing the smiles on children’s faces across the city makes the event a great cause.

“The officers here, they’re not being paid to be here. They come back on their own time because again, they want to see these families. They want to see the joy on the kid’s face. And all of us want to be here just to give back,” said Steffan.

The launch of the Whole Blood Exchange Program, in partnership with Broward Health Medical Center, received the green light on Tuesday.

“Administration of whole blood in the field prior to the patient being received by the trauma team increases survivability more than 70%. Here in Broward County, we’ve seen survivability rates over 81%. That is truly life-changing results,” said FLFR Chief Stephen Gollan.

Supporters say the program will improve survival rates for patients suffering from severe blood loss.

“This is a program that will undoubtedly save lives in our community. It’s the gift of whole blood,” said Gollan.

Fort Lauderdale joins the Broward Sheriff’s Office and other agencies that already use a whole-blood program, allowing their paramedics to start blood transfusions on patients before they reach the hospital, rather than waiting minutes that could be life-saving.

In attendance at Tuesday’s meeting was 20-year-old Stephen Livingston. He suffered a rollover crash earlier this year when the car he was in collided with a pole in Fort Lauderdale.

“It’s going to save a lot more people like me,” he said.

Andrew Livingston, the 20-year-old’s father, credits his son’s being alive to BSO’s whole blood program and those Fort Lauderdale first responders who pulled him from the wrecked car and immediately began a blood transfusion on scene before rushing him to Broward Health in critical condition.

“He had multiple fractures and wounds all over his body. He’s bleeding out of his ear, internal bleeding. Blood [transplant] was incredible, and that’s what helped keep him alive so the trauma team at Broward Health could do their job and get him back,” he said.

Andrew added that his son had a fighting chance at survival because of the quick work by first responders.

“He didn’t answer God’s call that night, and that’s why he’s here. And the Whole Blood is the whole reason why,” said Andrew.

This new partnership is another tool under FLFR’s belt, which they say will help save lives.

The program is scheduled to be implemented by March.

Feeding South Florida has a proud record of meeting a need, especially during the holidays, and this year, many major players in the community have teamed up to ensure South Floridians don’t go hungry.

“Even though we are competitors, we are partners for making this community great,” said Rita Case of Rick Case Automotive.

South Florida Kia Dealers, in collaboration with the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, and JM Family, presented Feeding South Florida with a $400,000 donation that will translate to over a million meals for families in need.

“We’ve all come together to raise the most amount of money that we ever have for a philanthropic organization, and we chose Feeding South Florida because food is an important part of everyone’s health,” said Case. “We don’t want children to go to school hungry, we don’t want anyone to go to bed hungry.”

The donation will go directly to providing more food for needy families at their pantry in Pembroke Park and their food distribution events across the community.

“So the $400,000 that was donated today has been translated to 1.6 million meals that goes out to the community. We have over 1.2 million individuals who struggle to put food on the table throughout the course of the year, and we’re seeing record numbers of families come to our doors,” said Feeding South Florida CEO Paco Velez.

Velez said the generous donation comes at a critical time, when families will be gathering to celebrate the holidays and will need that support to deliver bountiful meals.

“The holiday’s a great way to get family together, get family and loved ones to fellowship around the dinner table, and pass traditions down from generation to generation,” said Velez. “When you’re missing that food, it’s hard to do that, and this group made it possible.”

“Food insecurity impacts so many around the holidays, and these are our friends, these are our neighbors, these are hard-working, deserving families, our postal workers, our hospital workers, our hospitality workers, hard-working, deserving families that are facing food insecurity,” said Lisa Davis of JM Family Enterprises. “So we realize that sometimes in the automotive industry we’re competitors, but when it comes to philanthropy, we come together to make an even stronger impact.”

South Florida car dealerships and Miami sports teams’ competitiveness has driven the group of organizations to set a record for the most donations to Feeding South Florida.

“You know, it’s a partnership. A healthy community is gonna be a community that can have transportation, that can have the freedom of an automobile, and what better way to do it than with food,” said Case.

The group beat their $380,000 donation last year with a $400,000 donation this year, and their goal for next year is to beat Publix, which is now on top with its $500,000 donation.

Case told 7News that the plan for next year is to donate $500,001 to beat that record.

Local law enforcement agencies, including Miami Beach Police, said they are ramping up their presence at synagogues and places of worship out of an abundance of caution, so that the Jewish community and others alike feel safe.

The measures happen as Jewish communities across South Florida stood strong in their faith in the aftermath of the massacre at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead on the first night of Hanukkah.

“We stand united. You did not die in vain. Your flame will continue to burn through our menorah,” said a speaker at a local Hanukkah celebration.

Sunday’s Hanukkah celebrations continued as planned in both Cooper City and Fort Lauderdale, with moments of reflection and prayer for those impacted by the antisemitic terrorist attack.

“As we try to celebrate in happiness the beginning of this festival, let us not forget those who are suffering tonight with their families, their friends at a time when they, too, should be celebrating,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis.

The Jewish community came out in droves. Their message was one of strength and pride.

“We cannot let us deter us from who we are,” said a a rabbi at the Fort Lauderdale celebration.

“It’s more important than ever that Jews be more Jewish than ever,” said an attendee at the Fort Lauderdale celebration.

“It’s a tragic, terrible thing, and we just have to go on, and we have to celebrate anyway,” said another attendee.

Further south in Miami Beach, city leaders also condemned the violence.

“I’m horrified. I’m devastated. It brought tears to my eyes. It’s out of control, the antisemitism,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner.

Meiner said that he was not surprised, however.

“Unfortunately it’s all too predictable, the rhetoric, the antisemitism, the anti-Israel, the propaganda, the lies that are being said so casually. It’s just that you know it’s going to lead to this and this is why we have to counter the lies and the propaganda when we see it. They impact us here in Miami Beach,” said Meiner.

Officials in Miami Beach, like in many other municipalities, said they are ramping up security at synagogues and sacred places.

“We’ve definitely – we’ve implemented our high-risk protocols. We’re going to have extra police visibility around synagogues, Jewish neighborhoods, Hanukkah events that are scheduled. We’re going on,” said Meiner.

As the Hanukkah celebrations continue in South Florida, local community leaders reiterated their conviction that good will prevail over evil.

“We hope and pray that Jews all over the world, and the whole world together, comes together and does not allow terrorism to scare us or stop us, but on the contrary, we take the message of light over darkness,” said Rabbi Yossi Harlig from the Chabad of Kendall and Pinecrest.

Other religious leaders shared their thoughts on the situation as well.

“To make up for that kind of darkness that they tried to make for us, we need to make sure that we overcome it with extra light wherever we are,” said Rabbi Meyer Haber from Young Israel of Sunny Isles. “Our connection to God no matter who you are, is a connection of love. Hate has no place.”

“Now, we are even stronger and with more intention as we are going to light the Hannukiah,” said Rabbi Liora Ramati of Temple Emanu-El. “Yes, bad things happen every day, but we choose to see the good, even in darkness.”

“The terrorists that did what they did in Sydney were hoping that Jews would hide under their bed, we’re not gonna do that, we’re gonna show that we’re proud of being a Jew, we’re not gonna be scared,” said Rabbi Zev Katz, from the Chabad of Miami Beach.

People honored those who were killed and hurt overseas during what was supposed to be a time of prayer and love.

“As soon as you light a candle, the darkness goes away,” said a speaker at a local Hanukkah celebration.

“Just a small bit of light, can shine up a whole world of darkness.” said another speaker.

A gathering took place in Miami Beach to promote solidarity between those in the Jewish community Monday evening, on the second night of Hannukah.

While Miami Beach Police said there are no known local threats, they and many other police departments across South Florida are reminding residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity.

7News cameras captured Miramar Police officers bringing large boxes of toys to the Miramar Park of Commerce, late Thursday morning. The finishing touches were being put ahead of Sunbeam Properties’ 10th annual Polar Express, which is set to deliver toys and smiles to deserving kids.

“We have about 80 tenants each year at the Miramar Park of Commerce that participate in this annual Polar Express toy drive,” said Sunbeam Properties Vice President Ryan Goggins. “We count on donations from them and then partner with the City of Miramar Police Department to help distribute.”

All throughout the morning, one after the other, boxes were dropped off at the venue. The gifts will be handed out to Miramar families next week, ahead of the holidays.

“We come up with a theme every year. This year’s theme is ‘Fiesta of Giving,'” said Goggins. “We try to make it something that’s exciting, something that’s fun to bring the community together to support a great event.”

Those tenants Goggins mentioned told 7News they can’t wait to spread holiday cheer to all these families.

“I feel so happy, and the company is happy to contribute with them,” said Jennifer Mara with Jamaica Aerospace.

“It’s giving back to those who don’t have, to those that are in need, and it’s just a good feeling to be part of it,” said Miguel Capeles, Facilities Manager with Caterpillar.

“To assist Sunbeam, the Park of Commerce, to be able to gather toys and go out into the community and find those people who need help around the holidays, especially, is the ultimate meaning of being able to give back to your community,” said Brent Steffan with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 189.

Last year, the Sunbeam Polar Express collected roughly 3,000 toys. This year, organizers said they hope to collect even more.

“There’s a lot of needy kids out there, a lot of needy families, and this is a great way of giving back,” said Capeles.

On Thursday afternoon, the trucks began to make their way to the Miramar Police Department.

“This is a chance to see people at their best, build relationships and we get the help of the business community,” said Miramar Police Chief Delrish Moss. “Sunbeam, the Ansin Family, have been tremendous in helping us organize this and like I said, for us it’s the best time of the year.”

Next week, officers will go out into community and deliver these toys.

The “Best Show on H2O” will set sail to Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park, Saturday evening.

7News on Wednesday spoke with a pair of boaters who have been getting reading for the boat parade since Thanksgiving.

Captain Bruce Guttler has been sailing through the boat parade for four years and counting.

On Wednesday morning, Bruce and participant Linda Griffin were putting up giant inflatable nutcrackers and other inflatable Christmas pals on their boat, the “Nutcracker Aboard Aireze.”

Bruce and Linda were wearing red costumes and white hats with gold trim, like nutcrackers themselves. They brought the whole look together with sleek boating sunglasses.

“It’s magical. The people and the grass and the condos and the houses and the restaurants are cheering us on. It’s just awesome,” Captain Bruce said. “And then we’ll go by an area between houses that are trees, and we’ll have the light on there, and there’s, ‘wow,’ there are hundreds of people just sitting there, all generations.”

“[They’re] clapping for us, and even when we pull off the dock, we have a whole crowd there, and they’re all applauding,” Griffin said. “And it is exciting to see the other boats coming through as well and see their labor of love that they’ve put into it, and we all become like a family for this night.”

The one-of-a-kind holiday parade stretches 12 miles throughout Broward County.

Gates open at 4 p.m., but the parade itself will start at 6 p.m. along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The parade will sail up and down the Intracoastal Waterway before ending back in downtown.

There are still tickets available for the best seats along the water to see this holiday spectacular.

The governor took to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, on Monday to announce an executive order that designated the Council on American Islamic Relations and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations in Florida.

In the four page order, the state claims both organizations have ties to Hamas, specifically stating “CAIR was founded by persons connected to the Muslim Brotherhood” and “was created… as ‘an official U.S. cover representing the Islamic community’ to conceal ties to Islamic extremist groups.”

“CAIR was an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation trial, it was the largest terror financing trial in the history of the United States of America,” said DeSantis.

Those two organizations are recognized as the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy groups in the country.

Tuesday morning, DeSantis touted state dollars for Biscayne Bay and Everglades restoration during a stop at Florida International University’s Biscayne Campus in North Miami. Reporters pressed him to comment on Monday’s announcement and why these designations were made.

While the governor didn’t give a clear answer, he did react to the news of a possible lawsuit from those organizations who called the state’s action defamatory and unconstitutional.

“You know, a lot of it’s financial, there’s no question, a lot of it is financial. That’s why I think a lawsuit is something that we very much welcome for that, but I would expect there to be some follow-up on legislation,” said DeSantis. “Texas has a little bit more robust architecture in their statutes than Florida does. I think you’re going to see the legislature probably mirror what Texas has done.”

Meanwhile, in Sunrise, leaders with CAIR Florida and their South Florida chapters addressed the designation by the state.

“Illegal on its face. It’s unconstitutional, it has no basis in facts,” said Wilfredo Ruiz for CAIR Florida. “We have an impeccable record of standing for justice and standing for the civil rights of not only Muslims, but all minorities and religious minorities, ethnic minorities, that want to live and thrive in this state.”

“It does nothing except increase the divisions, increase the hatred,” said Omar Saleh, an attorney for CAIR Florida. “In his final months of office, instead of focusing on the pressing issues affecting Floridians, Gov. DeSantis chooses to leave a legacy full of hate and also, frankly, full of crap.”

CAIR has asked a federal judge to strike down a similar proclamation made by Texas a few years ago as well that approximates what Florida has just done.

They said in the lawsuit that the action by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is not only contrary to the United States Constitution, but finds no support in any Texas law.

CAIR Florida said they intend to sue the state for the organization’s designation.

“This is not a Muslim thing, it is a constitutional thing. We’re here in the United States. We’re not asking for special treatment for Muslims in Saudi Arabia, this is the United States where we have religious freedoms,” said Saleh.

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the crash at the Latino Medical Center at 3670 W. Oakland Park Blvd., just after 8 a.m. on Monday.

At some point following the impact, the truck caught fire. First responders were able to put out the flames.

Footage of the scene shows that the driver was going so fast into the lobby that tire marks stained the floor of the front lobby.

The doctor’s office had just opened up for the day at the time of the crash. Fortunately, no one was injured.

7News cameras captured crews cleaning up and drilling wooden support beams where the driver came crashing into the clinic.

The Toyota pickup truck involved in the crash was later towed from the scene.

Deputies said the driver of the truck has been cited.

7News cameras captured demonstrators, most of them concerned residents of the Upper Keys, as they held up signs in front of the Islamorada Public Library Branch, late Thursday morning.

The protest takes place after a woman who was driving through Key Largo when she was stopped by federal agents, violently pulled from her car and briefly detained.in front of Pink Plaza at Mile Marker 103.4, early Wednesday morning.

“It is outrageous,” said protester Dr. Susana May.

Cellphone video recorded by Miami Herald reporter David Goodhue captured the tense moments when federal agents, most of them with their faces covered, pulled the screaming woman out of her Toyota Corolla.

“I’m a U.S. citizen. Please help me!” the woman shouted as she was placed in handcuffs. “This is unfair. Why are you doing this to me?”

Goodhue spoke with 7News via video call hours later.

“It looked like [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol, with the local sheriff’s office doing some backup,” said Goodhue.

The protesters who came together in Islamorada said the incident left them with some concerning questions.

“Why did they pull her over? She wasn’t doing anything wrong. What made them pull her over?” said May.

Patty Simonetta, one of the protest’s organizers, also weighed in on the woman’s detainment.

“She was screaming for help. She was screaming that she’s an American citizen, and it didn’t seem to matter,” she said.

“This is America. It looked like the secret police in a Gestapo-like country,” said May.

Demonstrators on Thursday took their concerns to U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody’s office hours in Islamorada.

“This is not the America that we grew up in,” said a protester.

Speaking with 7News via video call, Goodhue described the traffic stop that he captured on video.

“I think they’re asking her for her ID. Didn’t appear like she had her identification on her, and then, after a while, things got rough, as you can see,” he said.

In a statement to 7News, CBP said:

“…During a traffic stop, a U.S. citizen, who was driving her illegal alien boyfriend’s car, refused to comply with repeated lawfully given orders by law enforcement to identify herself. She was removed from the vehicle and briefly held while her identity was confirmed, she was promptly released once her identity was confirmed…”

Responding to the incident, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said in a statement:

“We see far too many disgusting, unwarranted acts of violence against victims who are clearly being racially profiled by ICE since Trump abandoned due process just to terrorize our communities. It’s a repulsive violation of rights, and it shows how badly we need to hold the Trump Administration and its federal agents accountable for physical abuse and violating the law instead of enforcing it.”

7News is independently working to obtain more information about the woman.

A spokesperson for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called “to help keep the peace and keep traffic flowing.” They directed the rest of 7News’ questions to federal authorities.

“They pulled her out, cuffed her. She was screaming. At one point, she said she’s a U.S. citizen, and then they put her into one of their SUVs, and then about 10 minutes later, they let her go,” said Goodhue.

“We’re here for that woman, whoever she is and whatever she needs,” said Simonetta, “and we’re all here to speak out to Ashley Moody to say please, if you really care, help us, speak up, say something. This isn’t right.”

These demonstrators are not alone. Protesters packed public meetings to condemn the presence of ICE in New Orleans and Minneapolis, as the Trump administration continues to crack down on immigration.

The Miami Herald reported similar enforcement has been happening over the past several weeks in the same area where the woman was stopped.

Federal officers arrested 14 people during Wednesday’s immigration enforcement in Key Largo.

A jury reconvened Wednesday in the death penalty trial of now 22-year-old Jason Banegas, who killed Hollywood Police Officer Yandy Chirino back in 2021.

Banegas sat stone-faced in the courtroom as he awaits the jury’s decision. Jurors are now tasked with deciding whether he’ll serve life in prison or be sentenced to death.

In court Wednesday, jurors listened to testimony from the case detective and the medical examiner as well as observed evidence that included autopsy photos, as they prepare to make a decision.

“We determined the cause of death to be gunshot wound to the head and neck,” said Dr. Stephen Robinson, retired Deputy Chief Medical Examiner.

“And what was the manner of death?” said the prosecutor.

“Homicide,” said Robinson.

According to police, Chirino was shot by Banegas in an armed struggle when Chirino responded to reports of an individual checking car handles for unlocked vehicles.

“Officer Chirino was more than a uniform, more than a badge,” said Hollywood Police Chief Jeff Devlin. “He was a son, a friend and a trusted protector of this community. He was the kind of officer every chief hopes for; compassionate, dedicated beyond measure and deeply committed to the oath he swore to uphold.”

The morning’s proceedings were routine in nature, when compared to emotional testimony from two Hollywood Police officers who broke down on the stand, Tuesday.

“His death didn’t just take a friend away from me; it took away a future he deserved to live,” said Hollywood Police Officer Henry Martinez.

The officers who took the stand remembered their friend and fallen officer who was killed in the line of duty.

“I am grateful that I had the privilege to know him, to walk through life beside him,” said Martinez.

Chirino’s life was tragically cut short in October 2021 when then 18-year-old Banegas shot him to death. The defendant has since pleaded guilty.

“It took away a future he deserved to live, it took away his hopes, his plans, his moments that will never happen,” said Martinez.

Other officers raced to help when Chirino was shot in the midst of the fight that broke out when the pair made contact.

“Officers who were on scene that day relive in their minds, replaying every second, wondering if they could’ve done something, anything, to change the outcome,” said Devlin. “Some of our officers haven’t slept the same since that night. Others carry the guilt of surviving when their brother did not.”

“He was pointing at his face,” said Hollywood Police Detective Manuel Rodriguez-Blevins.

“What could you see?” said a prosecutor.

“I could tell that he’d been shot,” said Rodriguez-Blevins.

Martinez recounted his final moments with Chirino to the court.

“How did you know Officer Chirino was still alive on the drive to the hospital?” asked the prosecutor.

“He was squeezing my finger,” said Martinez.

Officer Chirino would not survive. In court Tuesday, his friends on the force told the jury he was one of a kind.

“I had the privilege of knowing one of the best human beings God has created, a man who loved his family, loved his job and lived every day fully,” said Martinez.

Only eight of the 12 jurors have to vote yes in order for Banegas to be sentenced to death.

The trial is expected to pick back up at 9 a.m., Thursday.

Tuesday afternoon, board members voted unanimously to transfer the public land in downtown for the proposed library. This time, the vote was taken after a public hearing.

The issue first came up back in September.

“This is an incredible opportunity for Miami-Dade County, especially for our college,” said Roberto Alonso, Vice Chair of the Miami Dade College District Board of Trustees.

The college advised people who wished to speak at the hearing to send in a written request via email to streamline process. However, they were also able to sign up Tuesday morning. Each person had three minutes to address the board.

Tuesday’s vote came amid an ongoing legal battle over whether the college violated Florida’s Sunshine Laws the first time it voted to give away the land in September, which held no public announcement. The suit against the board, filed by Marvin Dunn and Richard Brodsky, alleges a lack of transparency.

“If you think you can make this lawsuit go away by holding this meeting, you should have another thing coming,” said Brodsky, the attorney behind the filing, during public comments at the hearing.

“I am a proud man, but I’m reduced to begging not to do this,” said Dunn, a historian and retired Florida International University professor. “This lawsuit is not gonna go away. I’m gonna be right here until the very end and we will stop this.”

A judge at the time the lawsuit was filed agreed and granted a temporary injunction that would block the transfer of the land. The first vote brought along protests.

The two acres of prime real estate would be given to the state for the library and not sold for the millions of dollars it is worth. The location of the proposed library is also significant for many as it is right next to the Miami Freedom Tower — a place that stands for hope for immigrants, with many calling this proposal twisted symbolism.

Ana Sofia Pelaez, Executive Director of the Miami Freedom Project, was among those who opposed the donation of the land.

“I don’t think there’s any question that the current president of the United States has been very vocal about his views on immigration. His policies have felt bad,” Pelaez said.

This would be the 17th Presidential Library. Trump himself has reportedly also pushed for the construction to include a Trump hotel, although it’s unclear if that would actually happen.

Tuesday’s meeting started around 8 a.m. The room at Miami Dade’s Hialeah campus was filled with more than 100 people. Some were there to support the Board of Trustees handing over their land, while others were against the proposal.

“I ask the board: don’t let yourselves be intimidated. A presidential library is an asset to any academic institution,” one woman said during public comment.

“I am a Cuban, Catholic and Republican and political refugee. The idea that you want to honor a president that has such contempt for our community is unbelievable,” another woman said.

One man said during public comment, “The fiduciary obligation that you all have as members of this board to do, in a real estate transaction, what is quote ‘best for the college.’ There is no compensation provided to the college for this land.”

At around 12:40 p.m. the board voted once again to donate the land to the state for the development of a presidential library.

The jury came to the decision following two days of deliberations, which began on Friday, saying they believe Milagro Cooper, who also goes by Milagro Grams, defamed Megan.

The rapper told reporters she was happy with the jury’s decision while leaving court, Monday.

Megan accused the blogger of spreading false and harmful statements about her online. Grams’ defense relied on her First Amendment rights.

The rapper accused the blogger of defamation, invasion of privacy, emotional distress and the promotion of an artificial intelligence-generated deepfake porn video. On the stand, Megan claimed the dissemination of that deepfake video caused her major brand deals, including contracts worth more than $1 million each.

Megan, whose legal name is Megan Pete, also claimed Cooper took part in a coordinated social media campaign to harass and defame her, along with fellow rapper Daystar Peterson, better known as Tory Lanez.

Lanez was found guilty in a separate trial after, authorities said, he shot Megan in the foot in 2020. He’s now serving a 10-year prison sentence.

The jury ultimately found Grams liable for defaming the rapper with her statements and posts online.

Grams told reporters she was disappointed by the jury’s decision but will accept the outcome.

“I’m not ecstatic, of course you want things to go your way but, like I said, I respect the jury and what they decided, and I think I made out pretty good,” she said.

“We respect the jury’s verdict, we always have to and, whether we agree with it or not, we respect it,” said Jeremy McLymont, Grams’ attorney. “At the end of the day, it was not a complete win for any side. It’s a trial, this is what happens in trial, and we think at the end of the day the verdict was what it’s gonna be.”

Despite Megan’s claims that the deepfake video circulated by Grams caused her to lose major brand deals worth more than $1 million each, the jury ultimately decided Grams would be required to pay $75,000 in damages.

“I’m just happy to be moving forward, you know, things will get handled, it wasn’t a multi-million dollar verdict so I think that’s a blessing, God is good, through and through,” Grams said.

Grams may also be responsible for covering Megan’s legal fees in the case.

“They don’t want to miss this,” said Pana Guerrier, the ReStore’s assistant manager.

The ReStore is offering big deals for customers looking for new furniture, like a couch or loveseat, or upgrades around the house.

“Impact windows, furniture, home goods and you see a lot of nice frames behind me there,” said Guerrier.

The store will be offering the biggest deals they’ve ever done.

“This is our biggest promotion. We’re doing up to 40% off,” said Guerrier.

The great selection and friendly faces already convinced some new shoppers to make another trip.

“There’s so many different options, and actually the customer service,” said a shopper. “Mika joined us at the front and she’s been going around, we’ve been having her up top, plugging in different things, unplugging, and you know what, we found something perfect for our remodel.”

Whether you’re looking for a pre-lit Christmas tree or finding the perfect miniature grand piano on your shopping list, the Habitat ReStore has something in stock for everyone.

All proceeds from sales will go toward Habitat for Humanity.

“It’s great because you get great quality at a discount price and for a good cause as well,” said a shopper. “This program is great, and what you’re doing, it feels really good.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Habitat ReStore
505 W Broward Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Website

Hundreds of holiday shoppers waited outside the BrandsMart USA in Opa-locka before doors opened, Thursday.

“We’re stealing deals, let’s get it,” said shopper Kevin Bowe.

“Today is really our Super Bowl — the doorbusters and the biggest savings of the years,” said Hansel Lopez, BrandsMart USA’s vice president of marketing.

Lopez said his role feels more important than ever to deliver affordable deals for customers following a year-long struggle across the country with rising inflation concerns, tariff uncertainty and shaky consumer confidence at times.

“Especially now with economic uncertainty, and certain households, we kind of want to be that supports to families that are looking for a good deal,” he said.

Despite the economic uncertainty, consumer spending is up 8% compared to last year, reaching nearly $79 billion just in the month of November.

Shoppers like Bowe snagged what they were looking and still have other deals in their sights.

“Still doing a lot of shopping,” said Bowe. “It ain’t over yet.”

According to Lopez, some deals offered by BrandsMart USA on items like kitchen appliances, laptops, tablets, furniture and even e-bikes are like a “double steal.”

“We have two washer-dryers: one Whirlpool, one Samsung. If you buy the washer, you get the dryer for free. Like, come on, you can’t beat that,” said Lopez.

With deals as enticing as that, Jacob Peralta and his family couldn’t turn it down.

“We’re trying to get as much stuff as we can,” said Peralta.

Shoppers flocked to Miami International Mall in Doral throughout the day.

“I’m Christmas shopping, mostly for my kids,” said a woman. “So far, I’ve found some 50% off, 30% off, some pretty good deals.”

“I love spending my money,” said a shopper.

Each store was packed throughout the day.

The mall was so crowded that there was traffic to get in and out of the parking lot, making it tricky for shoppers to find parking.

“For me, shoot, it took 35 minutes to find something,” said one shopper.

Despite the massive crowds, officials with the National Retail Federation predict less people throughout the US will be hitting stores this year compared to last year.

With concerns of rising inflation, experts suggest using what’s called a “1% rule” when making a list of things to buy.

“Take 1% of your annual income and make that the ceiling, so the upper boundary, for the entire season. If you make $70,000, that’s $700 for everything, so for gifts, travel, food, hosting,” said Nicole Lapin, the host of Money Rehab.

Officials across South Florida are expecting around 400,000 people to visit Dolphin Mall between Black Friday and the end of sales for Cyber Monday.

The manager of Perfume Plus Outlet hopes some of those visitors drop by his store.

“For Black Friday, we are running a special 10% off and certain products we have the lowest price in the mall,” the manager said.

Meanwhile, others hit the stores with a different purpose, focusing on what they can get to give to others who need it more.

Julie Jones was shopping for supplies to send to Hurricane Melissa survivors.

“These are going to Jamaica for the victims of Hurricane Melissa. When I saw they were open today 4 to midnight, I said, ‘That’s it. I’ve got to go and get this stuff. We’ve got to be able to help,'” she said.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect deal or you want to enjoy the popular magical snowfall at Dolphin Mall, shoppers should expect large crowds throughout the weekend.

For more information on events happening at Dolphin Mall, click here.

According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the hit-and-run occurred near the 5000 block of North State Road 7, at around 11:55 p.m. on Saturday.

Surveillance video shows a man crossing the southbound lanes mid-block, just north of Commercial Boulevard, when the driver of a silver Toyota Camry sideswiped him with the front driver-side bumper.

The impact knocked the pedestrian to the pavement, where he remained on the roadway.

Moments later, an unidentified black sedan drove over the man and continued southbound, authorities said. Other motorists stopped and attempted to help.

Video then captured the Toyota’s driver pulling into a nearby Shell gas station, exiting the car and walking toward the crash scene.

“The driver then, after hitting the pedestrian, he pulled over in a nearby gas station and, in the video, you can see how this driver exits his vehicle and he walked toward the area where the crash occurred,” said BSO spokesperson Claudinne Caro. “By this time, some vehicles have stopped and some good Samaritans were trying to assist the pedestrian.”

After briefly standing on the sidewalk as good Samaritans rendered aid, the driver returned to the Camry and fled southbound.

Paramedics with Tamarac Fire Rescue transported the victim to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

BSO said the hit-and-run vehicle is believed to be a silver, 2002 to 2006 Toyota Camry with possible front bumper damage on the driver’s side and a missing passenger-side front hubcap.

The driver is described as a man wearing dark Bermuda shorts and a light sleeveless shirt.

“Just do the right thing and turn yourself in,” said Caro. “Imagine if it were you, the victim of a crash, and somebody else just leaves you abandoned in the pavement.”

If you have any information on this hit-and-run or the driver’s whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

Speaking with reporters at a news conference held Tuesday in Miami Shores, Esha Dawkins said she and her son Sam feel especially thankful this Thanksgiving week.

“I’m just thankful to be here, we always have something to be thankful for, which is life,” she said. “However, we don’t know who did this or what happened. I literally was just an innocent driver driving home.”

The Florida Highway Patrol said Dawkins came under fire along the southbound lanes of I-95 at Northwest 103rd Street in Northwest Miami-Dade, in what they described as a road rage shootout.

“I heard the first shot, I didn’t think it was a shot, I thought it was fireworks,” said Dawkins. “It was two days before Thanksgiving, and I just kept driving. The second shot I heard, I felt the glass hit me.”

That second bullet pierced the passenger side of her windshield, just inches away from the back seat where Sam was seated, and got lodged into her neck, where it remains.

“Came through the windshield, into my neck, and it’s sitting in the back, a miracle or just, you know, it wasn’t my time — wrong place, wrong time,” said Dawkins. “It’s still nerve-racking, seeing other shootings happening on the expressways throughout South Florida, and not knowing what can be done about it.”

Miraculously, Dawkins survived, with the bullet missing a major artery and her spine. The experience deeply affected both her and her son, however.

“I told him to hold me, momma loves you. I might not make it,” said Dawkins.

Troopers have not yet identified the shooters responsible, and now Dawkins is pushing for more surveillance on the highways.

“Pray that they will get more cameras on 95 in certain areas, because it’s sad that to this day, I don’t know who did it,” said Dawkins.

“More cameras on I-95 would certainly help. It’s obviously something, that technology exists,” said attorney Willard Shepard. “This needs to be funded.”

To get cameras on I-95, state Legislature would have to fund that initiative through the Florida Department of Transportation.

Wearing an orange prison jumper, Robert Koehler sat silently in a Miami courtroom as Circuit Court Judge David Young delivered his sentence, Monday morning. However, the 66-year-old would not remain quiet for long.

A prosecutor addressed Koehler directly at one point, but the defendant, nicknamed the “pillowcase rapist” due to the way that, authorities said, he would cover his or his victims’ faces, began speaking over her.

“My empathy also allows me to have great disgust — disgust!” said the prosecutor before Koehler interrupted her.

The prosecutor then continued.

“I let you talk. It gives me the ability to have complete disgust for a man that was capable of terrorizing as many women as you did, disgust for the way you speak to children in jail,” she said before Koehler interrupted her again.

“Mr. Koehler, Mr. Koehler, Mr. Koehler, I knew we’re getting a little excited,” said Young.

“You lied to me, too,” Koehler told Young.

“No empathy, no humanity, no mercy,” said the prosecutor.

“I’m done here. Get me the hell out of here,” Koehler said to the bailiff. “Give me 100 years and get it over with.”

Koehler was wheeled out of the courtroom moments later.

Jurors on Nov. 3 deliberated for less than two hours before they found Koehler guilty of sexual battery, kidnapping and burglary.

Young addressed the court after Koehler was removed.

“He was combative, he was obnoxious. He was obnoxious today, he’s been obnoxious throughout these proceedings,” said Young. “So this court is going to sentence Mr. Koehler to life in prison to run consecutive to F20-1242. On count 1, he gets life, on count 2, he gets life, on count 3, he gets life, on count 4, he gets life — all consecutive life sentences.”

Koehler was arrested in 2020 after, prosecutors said, DNA connects him to at least 25 attacks, adding there could be more than 40 victims across Miami-Dade County.

A man is recovering at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital after he was reportedly shot just below the arm while driving on the northbound entrance ramps of Interstate 95, near Ives Dairy Road, just before 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The chaos unfolded during rush hour, with authorities shutting down parts of the on-ramp to search for clues, causing heavily congested traffic in the area for hours.

“The victim’s in a silver Porsche before the exit sign. Shot below the right arm, male subject involved, pressure being applied to the wound,” a dispatcher said.

Florida Highway Patrol quickly surrounding the Porsche SUV a short time later as troopers administered first aid until paramedics could arrive.

Officials say the man suffered minor injuries.

Meanwhile, troopers continue their search for who was responsible. Authorities believe the subject was driving a black Chevrolet, issuing a be on the lookout alert for the suspected vehicle.

This road rage incident is just the latest in what’s becoming a far too common occurrence in South Florida over the past month.

On Nov. 13, a man drove himself to the hospital after he was shot along Ives Dairy Road and Northeast 15th Avenue in what authorities believe was also a road rage incident.

On Oct. 31, another man was hospitalized in Medley after another apparent road rage incident.

“Advising that he was shot in the head,” a dispatcher said.

Breanna Evans, 26, was also arrested in Boca Raton after, authorities say, she shot a man along the northbound lanes on I-95, just south of the Palmetto Expressway.

“She cut him off because she doesn’t like people that don’t drive fast enough,” prosecutors said. “She had time to think, to reach for the gun, turn the safety off, point and shoot, and shoot the victim in the temple.”

Luckily, the driver Evans was accused of shooting was just grazed by the bullet.

Evans was charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle and one count of shooting from a vehicle.

If you have any information on this crime, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

According to Florida Highway Patrol, crews were dispatched to a reported shooting on the northbound entrance ramps of I-95, near Ives Dairy Road, just before 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Upon arrival, FHP troopers administered first aid to the driver of a silver Porsche SUV, who was reportedly shot below the right arm, until Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units arrived.

“Pressure’s being apllied to the wound,” said a first responder in radio transmissions.

Paramedics then transported the victim to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, where he continues to recover. He is expected to pull through.

Officials believe the subject involved in the road rage shooting may have been driving a black Chevrolet.

A Be on the Lookout alert was issued for the subject’s vehicle, as troopers continued their hunt for that motorist well into the night.

7News cameras captured investigators combing the on-ramp for potential evidence.

This road rage incident is the latest in a troubling trend on South Florida roadways. Just last week, authorities said, a man was shot along Ives Dairy Road, not far from the interstate, in a suspected road rage shooting.

The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation.

If you have any information on this shooting or the subject’s whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

According to the arrest report, Noah Aloush was riding a stand-up electric scooter along the beach walk near 71st Street and Collins Avenue, at around 5 p.m. on Monday, when an officer in full uniform tried to stop him for illegally operating the scooter in the area.

The report states Aloush accelerated toward the officer and hit him, knocking the officer to the ground without attempting to stop.

Police said Aloush then fled at a high rate of speed through the North Beach neighborhood, weaving between marked patrol cars with lights and sirens activated, as he rode on sidewalks and into oncoming traffic while officers attempted to stop him.

At one point, Aloush allegedly forced vehicles to brake abruptly to avoid hitting him. Multiple officers and a park ranger spotted him as he darted through streets between Collins Avenue, Harding Avenue and Indian Creek Drive, according to the report.

The pursuit ended on 77th Street and Bayside Lane, a dead-end street where, police said, Aloush lost control of the scooter and fell.

As officers tried to handcuff him, he tensed his arms and refused commands, prompting an officer to deploy a stun gun twice before he was taken into custody, according to the report.

The officer suffered a hairline fracture to his right arm and was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Aloush was also treated at the hospital before he was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade.

The Marine veteran is also seen on videos posted to social media zipping around the university on his electric scooter and pulling stunts for views.

In bond court, Miami Beach Police Officer Julio Blanco who Aloush is accused of attacking appeared to testify against him.

“He had no intention of stopping. The only reason we caught him is because he hit a dead end over on Biscayne Point,” he said.

Blanco, appearing in court with a bandaged elbow, detailed how Aloush tried to avoid capture.

“To avoid me, striking me, knocking me to the ground and injuring my right elbow. When I was on the ground, I looked at him. He saw me and instead of rendering aid, he decided to jump back on and flee,” he said.

Aloush faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, resisting an officer without violence and reckless driving.

Blanco asked the judge for a high bond to keep him behind bars.

“Clearly, he’ll flee from law enforcement. I believe that without an elevated bond, he’s going to be a flight risk

Miami Beach Police released the following statement:

This incident underscores the inherent dangers our officers face daily while working to keep our community safe. The Miami Beach Police Department remains firmly committed to micro-mobility enforcement and will continue to hold violators accountable to ensure the safety of all who use our boardwalk and public spaces.

Aloush, who is a resident of California, was given a $20,500 bond. As of Tuesday night, he posted his bond but had not been released.

Miami Police said the man, identified as Jorge Esteban Rojas Rodriguez, was pinned when the wall gave way at a property along the 2900 block of Southwest 22nd Avenue, Monday morning.

Rojas Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were immediately reported.

Neighbors say they heard a scream for help from the home.

“Just a terrible yell, not a normal scream,” said a neighbor. “Poor guy. Probably chiseling some of the wall and the wall gave out and fell on him.”

7News cameras captured what appeared to be the victim’s family arriving to the scene emotional and distraught. They have asked for privacy during this tough time.

The home that was being worked on has been deemed unsafe by officials.

Investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration along with Miami Police are working to determine what caused the collapse.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a road rage incident where a man was shot in the upper back and a woman’s vehicle was also struck in the area of Ives Dairy Road and Northeast 15th Avenue, at around 6:15 p.m. on Thursday.

The man managed to drive himself to Jackson North Medical Center for treatment. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded and transported him to HCA Aventura Hospital in stable condition.

The victim also told MDSO that while his vehicle was parked outside of the hospital, an unknown individual got into his car and drove away in an unknown direction.

The female victim was not injured.

Authorities have not released any information on subjects in the possible road rage shooting or apparent car theft.

This latest violent shooting is one of several road rage incidents in recent months.

On Oct. 31, deputies responded to Medley, where a man had been shot in another apparent road rage incident. 7News cameras captured police tape surrounding the cars involved. The alleged shooter was arrested.

Days before Halloween, along a busy Interstate 95, prosecutors say Breanna Evans shot another driver near Hillsboro Boulevard because he was driving too slowly in the fast lane. Luckily, the man was only grazed by the bullet and is expected to be OK.

“She cut him off because she doesn’t like people that don’t drive fast enough in the fast lane,” the prosecution said. “She had time to think, to reach for the gun, turn the safety off, point and shoot, and shoot the victim in the temple.”

On Oct. 22, 36-year-old Jairo Rodriguez told 7News he got in a fight with another driver near the Golden Glades following an earlier heated encounter in Broward. Investigators say the two drivers exchanged words before Jairo stepped out of the car and was pinned between the two cars by the other driver.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers ruled Rodriguez was the aggressor, but he wasn’t charged or cited.

“There’s nothing to charge me with, because I didn’t do anything besides getting out of the car, and when I got out of the car, he tried to kill me with his vehicle,” he said.

Earlier in October, an argument between two men at a Costco parking lot in Davie led to a fight before escalating with one of the men involved shooting out the other’s car tire.

The whole heated interaction was caught on camera.

The gun-wielding man was ultimately arrested by Davie Police.

“Just too many idiots with guns, that don’t know what they are doing with the guns,” the victim said.

If you have any information on either of these incidents, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

7News cameras on Thursday morning captured long lines at Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport that were nevertheless moving briskly.

After 44 days, the nation’s longest government shutdown is over, but flyers at MIA are still on edge. They run the gamut between those whose flights were canceled to those whose itineraries weren’t impacted at all.

“We should be getting in around noon, so hopefully, no hiccups there,” said traveler Mandi Morioka.

Traveler Margee Clifford said she’s heading to Alaska.

“I’m traveling back from being overseas, and it feels much riskier to be here in the United States,” she said.

Government officials warn travelers planning to catch flights in the coming days that they may still have a bumpy ride ahead.

“I’m concerned that we’re not going to have, on day one, controllers come back into the towers right away,” said Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.

Since the Federal Aviation Administration started canceling flights due to air traffic control shortages, officials said, more than 10,000 flights have been cut nationwide.

The FAA anticipated canceling 10% of flights nationwide by the end of the week, but on Wednesday they said that because air traffic controllers are coming back to work, they’ll only be forced to cancel 6%.

“We’re trying to manage risk in the system to make sure people fly and fly safely,” said Duffy.

And flying they are.

“This is my second out of five flights,” said Clifford.

Clifford said her voyage has been smooth sailing so far, but she’s always prepared for the worst.

“I travel with a collapsible tea kettle and food, in case I get delayed or stranded somewhere,” she said.

But not everyone has been so fortunate. Librata Modesto said a loved ones’s flight out of MIA was canceled.

“We are heading to Fort Lauderdale Airport to leave him, so he is going to have to sleep over in the airport again,” said Modesto.

Other travelers, however, remain optimistic despite delays and cancellations — like a group of South Floridians flying to Madrid to watch the Miami Dolphins face off against the Washington Commanders.

“We thought the plane was delayed a couple of hours. It turns out, it looks like it’s on time,” said traveler Mary Howard.

“No delays up to now, so fingers crossed,” said traveler Michael Jenkins.

These travelers said they refuse to let any airline chaos get in their way.

“It’s not going to be canceled. We’re going to Madrid to watch the Dolphins win. That’s what’s happening,” said traveler Ron Howard.

Meanwhile, Morioka joined her teammates of Florida International University’s women’s volleyball team as they made their way through security. She said delays or cancellations aren’t an option for them on Thursday.

“We have some games to play this weekend, so hopefully we’re on time,” said Morioka.

Now, with less than two weeks until the Thanksgiving travel rush, Morioka said that optimism is a bit more fleeting.

“Especially with, like, the holidays coming up, people want to be with their families, and so, if the airports aren’t working the way they’re supposed, then, you know, it’s tough,” she said.

But government officials said flyers should expect things to normalize once safety measures improve and air traffic controllers return to work,

“What’s really important for us is getting back to business, and what I mean by that is Thanksgiving is coming up. It’s go time for us,” said FAA Acting Chief Operating Officer Frank McIntosh.

However, it still remains unclear how long it will take until all air travel normalizes.

Rapper Chocolate MC, whose real name is Yosvanis Sierra Hernandez, was accused of first-degree murder solicitation involving the inmate accused of killing Cuban artist El Taiger.

After hearing both sides, jurors began deliberating the case and quickly convicted him on Wednesday afternoon.

“The defendant is guilty of the charge of murder, first-degree solicitation,” said the jury foreperson.

Hours before, prosecutors told jurors Sierra Hernandez planned to avenge El Taiger’s murder by threatening inmate Damian Valdez Galloso, who is accused of killing the artist last year.

“Three posts, two offers, one life,” said a prosecutor.

Prosecutors said he discussed a bounty of $20,000 and solicited a hit on Galloso on the internet.

“Yosvanis Sierra Hernandez, the defendant, Chocolate MC, put a hit on Damian Valdez Galloso’s life. The defendant wanted Damian to be stabbed in the hall, to be gutted,” said a prosecutor.

A video shown in court appears to show the artist talking about the money.

The rapper then took the stand to tell his side of the story.

When asked about the social media video, the artist said in Spanish: “I recognize that in that moment, I didn’t express myself accordingly.”

Later, a prosecutor asked him if he attempt to solicit the death of El Taiger, to which Sierra Hernandez said “No.”

His defense argued Sierra Hernandez’s online presence is a rap persona and none of the prosecutors’ story is true.

“The state is going to try to convolute both of them, and they are not. This is an independent person, and the other person is an artist. It’s an act,” said defense attorney Adolfo Gil.

Court cameras captured the rapper emotional on the stand when he was asked about his friend, El Taiger, and what he was accused of.

“I’m not capable of killing anyone,” said Sierra Hernandez.

But jurors were not convinced, as they convicted him of the charge. Under Florida law, defendants can be found guilty of solicitation without money ever being exchanged or a murder actually being committed.

As the verdict was read, 7News cameras captured the rapper with his head down and Gil covering his eyes in disbelief.

The judge overseeing the case decided to forgo sentencing due to Sierra Hernandez’s other open cases.

Earlier this year, the artist was caught on video holding up a fan at gunpoint after the fan allegedly asked him for a photo. The artist is accused of forcing the fan to drive him around the area for hours before eventually letting him go.

Sierra Hernandez faces up to 15 years behind bars.

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue units responded to the area of Southwest 34th Street and 82nd Avenue on Monday afternoon.

Surveillance video captured the speeding black sedan as it blew through a stop sign.

7News cameras later captured the vehicle after it plowed through a privacy wall and an exterior wall on the side of the house, at around 5 p.m.

The impact was so strong that pieces of concrete from the wall scattered all over the ground, and some pieces ended on the home’s roof.

A witness who identified herself as Sandy spoke with 7News, Tuesday morning.

“It was startling, but it’s also sad to see that it was a young girl that – how did she go from there to there so fast?” she said.

7Skyforce showed the extensive damage to the property from above.

The owner of the home said her master bathroom and closet were destroyed in the crash. She added that she feels lucky to be alive.

“I was right here. I didn’t even look back. I went running,” the owner told 7News in Spanish.

The driver was injured and trapped inside the sedan.

Fire crews pulled the motorist out of the mangled car and transported them to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital. Their condition remains unknown as of Tuesday afternoon.

A tow truck later towed the wrecked car from the scene.

Workers were seen closing up the giant hole left behind by the vehicle.

The homeowner said she’s shocked the driver was able to penetrate both the concrete home and the house.

“I really thank God. Material things can be replaced; life cannot,” she said.

For hours after the crash, firefighters and deputies closed a portion of 82nd Avenue while they investigated.

Neighbors were shocked to hear what happened.

“A lot of ambulances, a lot of cops, a lot of people too, they had the whole road shut down,” said area resident Santiago Gomez.

“It’s kind of scary being in your house thinking someone could just crash into you out of nowhere,” said resident Mario Rejas.

“But I can tell you, peopole speed down the street,” said Sandy.

It’s unclear what led up to the crash.

Once her home was boarded up and the power was shut off, the homeowner said she decided to sleep somewhere else. When she came back Tuesday morning, she discovered she had been burglarized.

The homeowner told 7News that she doesn’t have insurance to cover these losses.

MDSO detectives were back at the home to dust for fingerprints and comb the neighborhood in search of surveillance video that may have captured the alleged burglary.

7News cameras captured about a dozen of Jaramillo’s brothers and sisters in blue lining up in front of the growing memorial, leaving flowers and American flags in the very spot where, investigators said, the 27-year-old was shot and killed on Friday afternoon.

“Officers and first responders never forget. It tapers off, and you deal with life and you function, but you never forget it,” said J.C. Prellezo, a retired MDSO deputy.

“He was a son. He was a brother, but he’s also a homegrown hero. Nothing but the best of words were ever used when it came to describing who he was,” said MDSO Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz on Saturday.

Seeing the memorial hit especially hard for Lionel and Alma Espinoza, retired Miami-Dade officers who know Jaramillo’s family.

“It’s incredible,” Lionel said about the touching tribute. “It’s just terrible. To lose such a young gentleman, a young deputy, I mean, he had his whole life ahead of him.”

“It has killed me the way that this young man has lost his life the way he lost it,” said Alma. “Such a young man, a wonderful young man.”

Residents also passed by to pay their respects.

“He was an officer. He was keeping us all safe, and for this to happen in just really hard,” said area resident Cristina Falconi.

On Monday, MDSO parked his patrol car at the agency’s Kendall station, located at 7707 SW 117th Ave., so the public could visit and pay their respects.

“This is so sad and my prayers to the family,” said a woman.

“I work down the street and it’s awful. It’s very sad,” said a man. “It affects us man. It’s heartbreaking.”

According to officials, Jaramillo was shot and killed while responding to a traffic crash near Southwest 128th Street and 122nd Avenue.

“He encountered the subject who was part of the traffic crash case. There was a verbal dispute that ensued,” said Cordero-Stutz.

Cordero-Stutz was visibly shaken as she provided new details into the fatal shooting and identified the shooter as 21-year-old Steven Rustrian.

Deputies said Jaramillo and Rustrian began fighting after the deputy responded to the scene of the crash involving the suspect.

“And during that fight, he disarmed our deputy of his own service weapon and used it to shoot him multiple times,” said Cordero-Stutz. “The subject, after shooting our deputy, entered his own vehicle and took his own life.”

Despite the medical team’s best efforts at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, Jaramillo succumbed to his injuries.

The sudden and senseless shooting has left many in the community trying to understand why it happened.

“He just attacked him,” said Alma. “It’s just why. That’s the big question, why?”

“You go out and you put your badge on. You’re hoping every day you come back,” said Lionel. “Unfortunately, he paid the ultimate price, he paid by his life. Too young.”

On Saturday morning, Jaramillo’s body, in a casket draped with the American flag, was wheeled into a Miami funeral home as he was flanked by fellow law enforcement officers.

As the memorial for that fallen deputy continues to grow, Cordero-Stutz called on the community to pray for the fallen deputy who loved them deeply and protected them fiercely.

“This will never be OK, and I ask our community to continue to hold us in your prayers, because we need them,” she said.

“This is very difficult for all of us. Not just for me, for the family, for the friends who know him, everyone,” said Lionel.

Tributes for the fallen deputy continue to pour in from local, state and federal officials, as well as other law enforcement agencies.

Officials have not released any funeral service details for Jaramillo.

7News cameras captured heavy flames and smoke billowing from the house, located near Southwest 49th Avenue and 80th Street in the Ponce-Davis neighborhood, just before 6 a.m. on Thursday, as well as several Miami-Dade Fire Rescue trucks.

“Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded with over 20 units, including a hazardous materials response,” said MDFR Battalion Chief Victoria Byrd.

According to fire officials, the blaze sparked at around 4:30 a.m.

“A single family home. We’ve got fire in the back,” a first responder is heard saying in radio transmissions.

Firefighters initially appeared to focus on the garage before the flames spread across the one-acre property. Adding to the challenge of combating the two-alarm blaze is that the residence is surrounded by trees, and there is another home right behind it.

“We found fire that was as tall as the trees. Our units came in, did an excellent job,” said Byrd.

Cameras captured the moment Spoelstra arrived on the property at around 5:10 a.m, looking distraught as he watched his five-bedroom, six-bath home engulfed in flames. The coach was in Denver Wednesday night, where the Heat played against the Nuggets and lost 122-112.

Officials said crews could only get their trucks into the property through the front, so they mainly tried to fight the flames from above using ladders.

“We used multiple aerial apparatuses, fire engines and rescues to help combat this incident,” said Byrd. “Due to the privacy wall and a lot of the tree cover, it was very difficult to access, with only one point of entry.”

7’s Drone Force captured the devastating aftermath. Almost the entire home had collapsed to the ground.

Exhausted firefighters took turns trying to douse the flames from multiple angles, taking breaks when they could.

“The men and women from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue were able to extinguish this fire and do the best job that they could,” said Byrd.

At around noon, firefighters were seen putting away their ladders and equipment.

Red caution tape was wrapped across the entrance of the home and part of the home’s roof had collapsed.

Neighbors told 7News that the home had been undergoing extensive renovations since Spoelstra moved into the property in 2023.

The house boasted over 5,700 square feet of living space covered by a canopy of trees and was purchased for $6.6 million. The property features an impressive backyard, swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, tennis courts and plenty of space to entertain.

Two weeks ago, Spoelstra invited the whole team over to his home for a barbecue as they kick-started the new NBA season. Video posted to Instagram showed players engoing a game of soccer in the backyard and cooking on the grill.

Now the house is a total loss, but officials said crews were able to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring homes.

Officials said no one was injured, adding the home was unoccupied at the time the fire started, as they continue to investigate.

The Miami Heat released a statement on Thursday evening, saying they are grateful no one was hurt and their thoughts and prayers are with the coach and his family.

The Heat will play the Hornets at the Kaseya Center on Friday night. Spoelstra is expected to hold his usual pre-game media availability and also attend the game.

7News cameras captured residents standing in front of a seven-story building at the Canongate condominium complex at 800 NE 195th St., just after 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

The flames ignited inside of a fourth-story unit just after 3:30 a.m., forcing all of the residents out of their homes.

Multiple Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units rushed to the scene, as residents had only seconds to evacuate.

Resident Simone Griffin told 7News she smelled smoke once she heard the alarms.

“I just grabbed my robe, grabbed my phone, grabbed his pills, and we just went down,” she said, “but when we go out in the bigger hallway, that’s when we saw the smoke, ’cause we’re at 510, so it’s the floor above it, saw the smoke coming up, so that’s all we could see, and we just take the staircase.”

Griffin joined dozens of residents as they navigated the smoky conditions and made their way out of the building and onto the street.

“I’m like, ‘Am I going down into the fire or what?’ ‘Cause I say, when you’re going to the hallway or the staircase, the exit, you see more smoke,” she said. “And you hardly can breathe because it’s so flustered in there.”

MDFR crews arrived within minutes, worked to contain the blaze and made sure residents got out safely.

“On arrival, we encountered heavy fire and smoke coming out of the fourth story of this apartment,” said MDFR Operations Division Chief Michael Eng. “Crews had to quickly locate and extinguish the fire, but the challenge was the amount of smoke, which required an evacuation as well.”

Cellphone video captured flames near the unit’s balcony. 7News cameras later showed the balcony covered in soot.

MDFR officials said this was a two-alarm blaze that remains under investigation. It’s unknown how many units sustained damage.

There were no reports of injuries, but a neighbor told 7News that the dog belonging to the family who lives in the unit that caught fire did not survive.

By daybreak, residents were slowly being allowed back inside their units, as investigators combed through the charred apartment to determine what sparked the flames.

Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren held a roundtable in Miami where they said local voters are feeling the pain of the shutdown and placed the blame on the Trump administration.

“We’re here today because Trump and Republicans in Washington would rather shut down government than help make healthcare affordable,” said Warren.

“This is going to be unaffordable for millions of people,” said Smith.

“We’re not asking to fix everything that is wrong with the healthcare system. We’re just saying don’t increase people’s premiums by 75%, 175%,” said Murphy.

The senators highlighted the stories of several Floridians who are feeling the sticker shock of increases in healthcare premiums as open enrollment began and the subsidies behind the Affordable Care Act are set to expire.

“Now I have to decide food or my premium,” said a concerned resident.

Up north in Broward, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz hosted SNAP beneficiaries to hear their stories of struggling to make ends meet as the benefits run out.

“I actually breathed a sign of relief when I was approved for $100 which, you know, doesn’t sound like a lot but it really made a difference in my life,” said Annette Chang.

“My rent was due on the first. I have until the fifth to pay it so I took a partial payment from that to go to the grocery store,” said Sheba McKinon.

Hours after the dual events, the Trump administration informed a federal judge that they plan to partially fund the SNAP program.

“The president’s not appealing the decision. He wants SNAP to be done, but he doesn’t see the mechanism to do it. So you have Treasury, you have [the United States Department of Agriculture,] you have the other agencies involved that are working overtime,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson.

A day earlier, during a CBS 60 Minutes interview, President Donald Trump placed blame of the weekslong shutdown on Democrats.

“Obamacare is terrible and we can fix it with the Democrats. All they have to do is let the country open and we’ll fix it. Democrats fault,” said Trump.

Both sides remain at odds over healthcare subsidies. Democrats are demanding negotiations to extend the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, but Republicans only want to negotiate after the government reopens.

Meantime, several organizations in South Florida such as Chef Creole and Feeding South Florida are stepping up to feed those impacted.

“If you need help, please ask for help. We’re here to help. If you can help, please help your neighbors,” said Feeding South Florida CEO Paco Velez.

Federal workers say they find themselves caught in the middle of the political football.

“Fight for us too because we’re losing everything. We’re being targeted. We’re losing our jobs, losing our healthcare, losing everything that matters,” said worker Debra Wright.

The Trump administration said it may take some time to process November SNAP payments.

Miami-Dade Commissioner Kionne McGhee will be hosting a “Federal Workers Appreciation Event” to distribute food and resources to all federal workers and families affected by the shutdown. The event will take place at 15801 Southwest 137th Avenue in Miami between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., Thursday. All supplies will be first come, first serve to any worker with a federal government ID.

7News cameras captured the homeowner, who identified himself as Peter, as he stood outside his charred home along the 2000 block of Arcadia Drive, Friday morning.

“We went to trick or treat for the kids, came back,” he said.

Peter returned to his residence to salvage what he could after it became engulfed in flames.

Miramar Police and Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the blaze, at around 8 p.m., Thursday.

“A lot, a lot of smoke. The power went out,” said a neighbor who identified herself as Bridget.

“It was like things are on fire,” said Peter.

Cellphone video captured flames and thick smoke billowing from the home.

Area resident Sandro Elvier told 7News he heard a loud bang before seeing smoke and flames.

“[I saw] fire. The fire [started] immediately, and as soon as I started calling 911, a police officer arrived,” he said. “I came outside, and I saw sparking in the wires and going to the house, and there was fire immediately coming from the back of the house.”

Firefighters were seen fighting the flames and then later cleaning up their equipment after the fire was out.

No one was home at the time of the fire, so there were no injuries reported.

“The dogs are safe, and that’s how it’s my party. The kids are safe, that’s a party,” said Bridget.

As crews rushed to extinguish the blaze, the power was shut off to at least a dozen homes.

The American Red Cross is assisting Peter and his family. They do not have insurance.

“I mean, it’s a house. We live in a place, we live in a place, we’re going to continue to live in a place,” he said.

Peter said he finds comfort in his faith.

“That’s one thing I say: go to church,” he said.

The homeowner said he’s confident he will rebuild.

“I think there’s, like, rebuild loans or whatever. Tear it down and build a house, like, for the kids,” he said.

Florida Power & Light arrived at the neighborhood to restore power to the homes that lost electricity.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

In a news conference, Thursday, the CFO criticized the county’s budget for being excessively high.

“I’m here to tell the great people of Miami-Dade how much their local government has overspent and overtaxed them. In just five years, Miami-Dade’s budget grew nearly $844 billion. There’s no other way to put this but you are being overtaxed,” he said.

According to Ingoglia, using Miami-Dade’s 2019 budget as a baseline, the county’s 2024 budget was $2.52 billion, which he says should have been closer to $2.25 billion based on inflation and population growth.

“Where the blue ends is where we think that they should be indexing for inflation and population and the red is the amount that your local government is excessively and wastefully spending,” he said.

Throughout his remarks, he brought out cutouts of figures to make his point. One of those figures pointed to the amount of new full time hires made by the county in the past five years.

“This number is shocking. Two thousand eight hundred forty-three new full-time employees,” he said.

The CFO has visited several spots across South Florida in recent weeks, including the City of Miami and Broward County.

In Miami, he said the current spending levels are untenable.

“If this was a business, the City of Miami would go bankrupt,” he said. “There’s no two ways to say it. It would.”

While in Broward, he exposed what he claims is excessive spending and bloated budgets.

Overall, Ingoglia says the state’s Department of Government Efficiency effort has “exposed” $1.5 billion in overspending.

“Over nine local governments that we have analyzed spending, we are now over the $1.5 billion mark of wasteful and excessive spending identified,” he said.

Miami-Dade Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez was present during the CFO’s Miami-Dade remarks. When asked what he would like to see cut from the county budget, he said there were certain expenditures that might not be necessary.

“Not a fan of the Heat office,” said Gonzalez.

The county’s heat office was created in 2021 through a grant to address heat-related health risks. It’s since been embedded into the Environmental Resources Management Department.

“It’s important to have marketing to let people know that it’s hot, but maybe that’s something that is not necessary right now. More efficiencies are what we need to find,” said Gonzalez.

Ingoglia said a full report showing the examples of waste and abuse in the county will be released soon after auditors comb through the financial books.

In response to Ingoglia’s news conference, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said she runs one of the most fiscally responsible administrations in the country. She cited numerous tax cuts under her term while also prioritizing public safety funding.

“My administration has found ways to put money back in taxpayers’ pockets and keep costs low for our families while investing in your priorities. We welcome continued communication and engagement with the state and our community,” she said.

At an event in Miami, Levine Cava addressed the impact of food stamps benefits being cut off starting Nov. 1 on half a million Miami-Dade residents across the area, especially the elderly and low-income families.

“[There are] nearly one in four of our households in Miami-Dade County that depend upon SNAP,” she said.

The county mayor was joined by local nonprofit organizations such as Feeding South Florida and Farm Share.

Farm Share CEO Stephen Shelley said the current situation is already dire as food banks try to feed federal workers who have gone unpaid due to the ongoing government shutdown, which has now lasted for nearly a month.

“Things are already dire. You got a government shutdown, you got federal workers who don’t have access to food, and we, as food banks, are trying to meet that need already, and we are struggling,” he said. “It is the first time that I’m concerned that I don’t have the resources I need.”

Despite the situation, Shelley said, his organization is planning 42 food distribution events and will use county data to target areas where SNAP recipients live.

Feeding South Florida CEO Paco Vélez talked about how losing this funding will impact people as well as Florida’s economy.

“SNAP benefits are the first line of defense against hunger, and if we lose those benefits, not only will families go hungry, but more than $5 to $6 billion in revenue a year comes to Florida through SNAP benefits, which are going to affect our grocery stores, retail stores, and convenience stores,” he said.

Vélez had two messages for residents: if they need help, ask for it and if they can help, to do so.

Calling it an all-hands-on-deck situation, Levine Cava outlined an emergency food distribution plan in collaboration with these nonprofit organizations and asked residents to pitch in if they can.

“To all our residents who are able, we ask that you donate what you can. We are going to coordinate, to make sure that there’s a one-stop place for information where people can go to get the help or to give the help,” she said.

She added that despite the bickering in Washington over the shutdown, Miami-Dade is stepping up.

“These are our children, families, grandparents, neighbors, workforce, and we need everybody to step up and treat this as the true emergency that it is,” said Levine Cava. “I’m losing sleep, we’re all losing sleep. This situation is just beyond our worst imaginations.”

Up north in Broward County, Meals on Wheels officials said they’ve already seen a spike in applications from homebound seniors this week.

“They don’t have to go to sleep at night hungry. That’s why we’re here,” said Wendy Bourgault with Meals on Wheels South Florida. “We know that there are people out there that are just barely hanging on.”

Back in Miami, Levine Cava pleaded with Congress to reach a deal before millions across the country are impacted.

“Please, see past the politics and get this done,” she said.

Late Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., responded to Levine Cava’s press conference. He said it was the Democrats’ fault for the loss of food benefits.

“It is [New York Senator] Chuck Schumer and the Democrats in the Senate that have closed the government and have put at risk the SNAP benefits to millions of Americans,” he said.

Gimenez added the best way forward is to open the government.

“Let’s get back to work for the American people, open the government and make sure that millions of Americans also don’t suffer the loss of their SNAP benefits,” he said.

Florida Democrats have called on Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency and free up funds for SNAP, something other states have already done. As of Wednesday afternoon, it remains unclear what he will do.

For more information on ways to volunteer or donate food or money to Feeding South Florida, click here. You can also find other organizations accepting donations here.

For more information on the county’s Food Assistance Community Response, click here.

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputes and Fire Rescue units responded to call of a shooting at a shuttered smoke shop near Northwest 27th Avenue and 46th Street, just before 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

Upon their arrival, deputies swarmed the block as they discovered a man who had been shot multiple times.

Paramedics rushed the victim to Ryder Trauma Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

Hours later, following daybreak, detectives carried out their investigation throughout the block, speaking to at least two people in their search for the gunman responsible and taking photo of shell casings on the ground.

At this time there is no description of who deputies are looking for and no details about what led up to the shooting, or why those people were inside the closed business.

If you have any information on this shooting or the subject’s whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

Surveillance video from the Community Church shows a woman wearing a tank top and bathing suit bust her way inside, pulling a cart behind her, Sunday afternoon.

“It’s just a case of opportunity, I assume,” said Barbara Lane, a volunteer for the church. “It looked like it was a chair and beach umbrella.”

Instead of searching for salvation, the woman spent several minutes inside the church’s bathroom, appearing to drop something inside her cart.

Moments later, she is seen apparently checking out the church’s food pantry donation box before turning her attention to the audiovisual booth and spotting the church’s iPad.

“[She] put it in her car and just left,” said Lane.

Church volunteers later discovered one of the toilets had been stuffed with paper towels.

“You never know what’s going through somebody’s mind,” said Lane “Somebody may have had a bad experience with a church and just feels anger toward them. I don’t know; this place is all love.”

The bizarre incident has left members of the church’s congregation saddened and confused.

“We all do things we aren’t proud of,” said Lane.

They also hold out hope for the thief to see the error in her ways and do the correct thing in returning the iPad and confessing to her actions.

“We just send her love and forgiveness,” said Lane. “That’s the beauty of it. God forgives us.”

Members also said they have reported the incident to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

Feeding South Florida was at Miami International Airport Friday, where they handed out food to federal workers, with the goal of feeding around 200 families with the campaign.

“That’s very nice of them, because we could use it,” said a Transportation Security Administration worker.

As the government shutdown stretches into its 24th day, many federal workers continue to work without pay, showing up to work every day, waiting for that check to come at the end of the shutdown, whenever that may be.

Many workers at MIA have struggled as they’ve gone almost a month without a full paycheck, and as of last week were not paid at all, with the one before that being only about a half of their usual pay.

“It does help, yeah, especially for us that have kids at home and stuff, so it helps,” said a TSA worker.

A variety of food, milk, eggs, vegetables were handed out to these government workers, many of them thankful for the helping hand.

“Grateful, grateful for all the things that we are receiving today,” said a U.S. Customs worker.

“Definitely grateful,” said a TSA worker.

“They see all the healthy products they’re getting, the variety of what they’re getting in the selections,” said Helen Hiens of Feeding South Florida. “I think, with the selections and the variety, it gives them choices, and to make several meals, not just one or a couple, but plenty of different types of meals that they can make.”

The federal workers at the airport were thankful for the gesture from Feeding South Florida and their partners to stock their fridges, as they struggle to make ends meet without a paycheck.

As for the government shutdown there is no end in sight at this time.

7Skyforce hovered above the scene of the crash near Northwest Sixth Street and 12th Avenue, near SLAM Miami Charter School, at around 9:45 a.m., Friday.

According to City of Miami Police, the victim was running late to school and ran through traffic to try to get to class when she was hit by the ambulance, just before 8 a.m.

“This young girl [was] crossing between two vehicles because the pedestrian crosswalk was blocked by vehicles,” said Miami Police Officer Michael Vega.

Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Pete Sanchez said the ambulance was going against traffic because they were transporting a patient.

“They were in emergency mode, which is lights and sirens, because they were taking a patient to the hospital,” he said. “They were heading northbound here on 12th Avenue, going against traffic because there was standstill traffic at this time, which is something normal that we do.”

One mother who was dropping off her child at school said she saw the whole thing.

“The little girl came out of nowhere,” said the parent, who identified herself as Hellen.

At the time of the crash, police said, the school bell had already sounded, so the crossing guards were no longer there.

“[The driver of the ambulance] tried to avoid her and maneuvered off to the side, as you can see, and they ended up hitting her, pushing her forward, which I believe that because of that evasive maneuver, they did not run her over, which is very important,” said Sanchez.

Witnesses echoed what officials said happened.

“She ran. I mean, the ambulance tried to swerve, but it was too late,” said Hellen.

“[The driver of the ambulance] tried everything possible not to hit that kid,” said a witness who identified herself as Rita. “I just pray she pulls through, and the driver, he was inconsolable.”

“Immediately, [the crew in the ambulance] began to render aid and called for additional resources to not only treat the 11-year-old female, but also the patient that was being transported to the hospital at that time,” said Sanchez.

“But at the moment, there was some time before the little girl reacted. There was no reaction, so we thought she was gone,” said Hellen.

Investigators said the child was alert and oriented during transport to Ryder Trauma Center. She is listed in serious but stable condition.

Back at the scene, 7News cameras showed one of the victim’s shoes thrown across the road, as well as the ambulance with front-end damage due to the impact.

Fire officials said they’re heartbroken about the whole situation.

“The driver of this rescue [vehicle] is extremely shaken up. This is not something that we plan on. We want to help people, not hurt people, so he’s extremely shaken up,” said Sanchez. “We’re working with him, and we care. We really hope that she’s going to be OK, and this is just a very unfortunate situation.”

Officers temporarily shut down Northwest 12th Avenue between Fourth and Seventh streets, but everything has since reopened.

A spokesperson for SLAM Miami Charter School confirmed the victim is a student at their school. They issued the following statement:

“Earlier this morning, a SLAM Miami student was involved in an accident while crossing the street near the school. The student was struck by a City of Miami ambulance. Emergency medical personnel responded immediately, and the student was transported to the hospital to receive medical care.

Our thoughts are with the student and their family during this difficult time. The school is in contact with the family and offering support. At this point, we are focused on the student’s well-being and are unable to share additional details.”

The fire department has brought special counselors to speak with the driver of the ambulance.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested Thursday in connection to an illegal sports gambling scheme under investigation by the FBI.

“They relied on corrupt individuals, including Jones and Rozier. They also used information obtained through longstanding friendship that they had with NBA players and coaches,” said Joseph Nocella, the top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York.

Rozier is accused of passing private insider information about a single game to a network of sports bettors, resulting in big wins.

According to the federal indictment, the alleged crime occurred during the 2023 season when Rozier was playing for the Charlotte Hornets. During one of the games that took place in March of that year against the New Orleans Pelicans, he allegedly told his childhood friend and codefendant Deniro Laster a secret plan.

Court documents reveal “Rozier was going to prematurely remove himself from the game in the first quarter due to a supposed injury and not return to play further…Laster sold the information…to multiple coconspirators…to enable them to place fraudulent wagers based on the non-public information…In exchange for approximately $100,000 from their expected fraudulent gambling winnings…”

Prosecutors add the athlete’s “early exit from the March 23 Game and his related underperformance relative to his season averages…resulted in the success of numerous fraudulent wagers placed on Rozier’s unders by the defendants and their co-conspirators. And “After…Laster collected his cut of the fraudulent wagering scheme proceeds…Laster drove…to the defendant Terry Rozier’s home in Charlotte…During the early morning hours of April 1, 2023, Laster and Rozier counted the money that Laster had obtained…”

It’s unclear if Rozier received any money for his alleged involvement in this crime.

Number two Terry Rozier jerseys were taken down from the official Miami Heat Store site online and no Rozier jerseys were seen on the racks of the Kaseya Center downtown store.

The accusations and arrests left fans in downtown Miami stunned. Some of them expressed how they felt to 7News.

“I don’t get it, because it’s like, if I was In their shoes, you know, I make millions, I don’t know why you have to be in a gambling situation like that, but it’s just crazy,” said a fan. “Like, hopefully there’s no other players, but I was just watching, it says up to 30 people arrested, so it’s just crazy.”

“I’m not surprised. There’s so much money in sports these days,” said another fan.

“I think, maybe in a year or two, I don’t think we’re going to be able to bet at all,” said a third fan.

Those near the Kaseya Center said the latest revelations puts a stain on the league and professional sports.

“It’s like we don’t know what’s real, what’s fake, if they are really playing, if they aren’t,” said a fan.

“You want to feel like the outcome is undetermined,” said another fan.

The Heat are set to play in Memphis Friday night. They will be back home at the Kaseya Center on Sunday.

According to a statement from the NBA, Rozier has been placed on immediate leave from the team as well as Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, who was involved in a separate gambling scheme also under investigation by the FBI.

As of late Thursday afternoon, the Heat have not made any comment on the situation.

Rozier has bonded out of jail on certain conditions, including using his multi-million dollar home in Southwest Ranches as collateral.

7News cameras captured participants outside the Krome North Service Processing Center, located along along the 2800 block of Southwest 145th Street, as they prayed for immigrants in federal detention, Wednesday morning.

“For immigrants that are being processed at this ICE facility today, that they may return safely to their families. Compassionate God, hear our prayers,” said a nun as she led participants in prayer.

“We are here today to lift up the human dignity of all immigrants and their families. All families are sacred,” said Ellie Hidalgo with the organization Discerning Deacons.

The prayer circle was part of a national campaign among Catholics and others that aims to call attention on what they say is a migrant crisis. The group believes compassion and humanity are two things that are missing from the recent immigration enforcement happening across the country.

“There’s ways of doing things, and there’s other ways of doing things, and what they’re doing somehow, they’re doing it partially OK, but the brutality is not necessary at all, and that’s my opinion,” said one of the participants, who identified himself as Raul.

“Cruel, it’s cruel and inhumane, and it’s like they have a quota that they have to meet, and they don’t care if they have family or if they leave behind kids that are by themselves,” said Silvia Muñoz with the Pedro Arrupe Jesuit Institute.

As the Trump administration continues to crack down on undocumented immigrants with operations across the country, participants at the prayer service indicated that some of their tactics are not humane.

“This is not saving America or making America great again. This is destroying America,” said Muñoz.

Some believe the Trump administration’s laser focus should be hard criminals.

“Somebody has broken the law — drugs or whatever, rapists — yeah, it’s OK to be deported, but a lot of people are just here trying to make a better living for themselves,” said Raul. “They just have no way of living where they’re living.”

Organizers told 7News they plan to return for another prayer service outside this ICE facility sometime in November.

Speaking with 7News on Tuesday, Eilyn says it all began in August when she used the platform Rover to find a dog sitter for her dog, Aria, and two other dogs.

In the app, she saw the dog sitter’s profile and connected with her.

“She had five-star reviews, 118 of them,” said Eilyn.

The two of them met and decided to move forward with the booking. During the trip, Eilyn said she and her husband kept in contact with the dog sitter and even received videos of the dogs playing around.

But the problems arose upon the couple’s return from the trip.

“We get back from our trip on Aug. 31, and we’re so excited to receive our dogs back. We’re waiting outside in the rain for them. She gets out of the car, and she’s distraught. She’s saying, ‘Hey, we need to go inside. Something happened to Aria.’ She tells me that Aria had passed away on Friday, which happens to be my birthday, that Aria had died from a heart attack in her sleep,” said Eilyn.

Eilyn went on to explain how the dog sitter told her she took matters into her own hands and cremated the dog.

“She didn’t know what to do, she panicked, she put herself in my position to think what she would want done, so she decided to take it upon herself to cremate my dog,” she said.

Like any pet owner, Eilyn says it was hard for her to accept the dog’s death.

“When I see her photos, it does make me upset to know that she had such a tragic death,” she said.

However, something didn’t sit well with her after hearing the reason behind the dog’s death from the dog sitter.

“It’s the fabrication and the deceit that just continued to throw me over,” said Eilyn.

She says the dog sitter’s explanation had numerous inconsistencies in it.

“It’s like putting salt in a wound,” she said.

So, Eilyn decided to contact the cremation company. They told her via email that Aria was brought to them by a man named Daniel. Her scalp was separated from her skull, and an eye was popping out.

When they asked what happened to the dog, Daniel said the dog had been attacked by a bigger dog.

But then, Eilyn says she discovered even more lies: the dog sitter wasn’t even home to take care of the dogs.

“We found her profile where she publicly displayed that she was in Las Vegas the whole time. She was poolside, she was enjoying a book. She was flying and eating the day that Aria passed away, and how she flew back on the 30th, so it was all fabricated,” she said.

7News passed by the address listed on the cremation form for the dog sitter, but no one came to the door.

A spokesperson for Rover said, “The sitter involved has been deactivated from our platform without the option to appeal. We stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation should they become involved.”

Now, Eilyn is left devastated and searching for answers.

“She fraudulently accepted this, left my dogs unattended with somebody, and something happened,” she said. “I hope she feels the weight of pain and kind of regret that I feel looking at Aria’s photos.”

Eilyn said she has reported this case to the Miami Shores Police Department and Miami-Dade Animal Services. She hopes it’ll be a lesson for other dog owners.

The county says this is a civil matter.

7News cameras on Monday captures the remaining residents of Li’l Abner Mobile Home Park as they packed up their belongings.

Between Monday and Tuesday, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies served eviction notices for the around 220 residents who did not leave after a developer purchased the property and gave notice to the tenants.

“We don’t know where we’re gonna go,” said Enrique, a resident who turned down the developer’s settlement offer.

Locksmiths were seen changing locks at the entrances of several mobile homes in this community that provided an option for affordable living over the last 60 years.

Now it’s set to move into the future in a new direction — from mobile homes to a planned high-rise.

Enrique was one of the residents who were forced out on Monday.

“My contract, that I bought four months before the eviction, $170,000,” said Enrique. “I know I cannot come back here. Well, I’m gonna lose everything.”

The legal battle over the property has ensued for several months, as far back as November. Some residents refused the payouts by the developer; they argued they had nowhere to go as they were not given proper notice.

A Miami judge in September ruled the evictions could continue. Now the residents have been ordered out and must pack up.

David Winker, the attorney representing those 220 or so residents, told 7News that he plans to appeal those evictions.

“The fight continues. We actually do have confidence that we’ll win this case eventually,” said Winker. “We’re continuing to fight for these residents and their property rights.”

But staying at Li’l Abner while the case plays out in court is not an option.

Enrique said he and his neighbors aren’t sure what’s next for them, especially with how expensive it is to live in Miami.

“It costs too much, yeah, and many of the people here, you know how the rent is here in Miami,” said Enrique. “I mean, with the salaries we earn or maybe Social Security, no one will give you an apartment.”

These residents hope their evictions will eventually be overturned on appeal.

The management company for the property is working with residents to remove any belongings or their mobile home from the property.

Those residents who would like to take their trailers elsewhere are able to do so, but they have a period of about 10 days to work with the management office so they are granted permission and have deputies there while they are on the premises.

“We the jury in Miami-Dade County Florida find the defendant, Daisy Link, as to count one second-degree murder guilty of second-degree murder,” said Judge Lody Jean.

The decision from the jury came after a weeks-long trial where Link took the stand to defend the shooting.

“He told me that he was going to lock me out of the house and that I was going to sleep outside when I began to walk toward him and I said, ‘No, you’re not. You’re going to leave.’ He said, ‘I don’t give a [expletive], I’m ready to die. You could kill me.’ And he began to run toward the house,” she said.

“And what did you do when you saw him running toward the house to lock you out?” asked prosecutor Alex Bergida.

“I took the shot,” said Links.

Link was convicted of second-degree murder in connection with a 2022 shooting that was captured on surveillance video, showing her holding a gun when the incident occurred, according to police.

During trial, prosecutors showed the video to the jury.

“That’s what happened. She was mad as [expletive]. [He] was never home, he’s on the road all the time, he’s off getting high, I was mad as [expletive.]” said Bergida.

But her lawyer, Ayuban Tomas, said the shooting was justified.

“He was going to break into her house. She did everything she could to stop him. He refused. So she fired the gun and it worked because once she fired the gun, he ran off to the alley,” said Tomas.

While the murder case was already serious, Link made headlines in 2024 after it was revealed she became pregnant behind bars through a bizarre scheme involving another inmate.

Investigators said Link and inmate Joan Depaz used a lapse in the jail’s security to pass semen through an air vent using saran wrap and string.

“Everybody says it to me, ‘This is like some Lifetime Movie Network,'” she told 7News in an exclusive interview.

Link later gave birth to a baby girl and told 7News in an interview that the child was “a miracle” and “a blessing.”

It was a pregnancy that Link told her mother through a phone call would lead to her freedom from jail.

“Daisy, how could you?” asked her mother over the phone.

“What do you mean? I’m gonna sue ’em and get out. Do you know how much I can sue them for? This was all planned. I can get out now,” she said over the phone.

The incident led to major security changes at Miami-Dade jails.

Juror Kenyan Bowie told 7News following the guilty verdict that despite an initial juror holdout, everyone ultimately came to the same decision.

“It was a toxic relationship. The self-defense, if he’s running away and shot in the back, doesn’t seem like self-defense,” he said.

Link is expected back in court in November for her pre-sentencing hearing. Her attorney is expected to appeal.

The bill filed this week by Florida State Rep. Tom Fabricio would make it a requirement for teachers’ jobs to swear an oath to uphold the U.S. and state constitution as part of their responsibility as educators.

“I think this bill elevates teachers further as professionals and it gives them the opportunity to give their word, to give another layer of accountability for the important job that they’re doing for our state, our country, for our children,” said Fabricio.

The Miami Lakes Representative said the bill’s concept is not a new one.

“In Colorado, Michigan, West Virginia, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, Louisiana, Arizona, all have oaths, so this is something that’s been in play for many years. Florida doesn’t have it,” said Fabricio. “This should help parents feel more comfortable with leaving their children in these teachers’ hands.”

Under the proposed bill, teachers would swear under oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States and the Constitution and Government of the State of Florida” and “that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of a classroom teacher in a professional, independent, objective, and nonpartisan manner.”

Teachers would also swear “that I will serve as a positive role model in both conduct and character, so help me God.”

Fabricio says the bill wouldn’t functionally change anything for teachers currently working in classrooms, drawing a comparison to oaths made by doctors and lawyers, where their oath is to the code of ethics they agreed to follow upon employment.

“The intent of the bill was not to create any kind of punitive framework, or anything of that nature, so in Florida, we already have a code of ethics that teachers are required to abide by, this points to that. Principally, this is the teacher giving their word that they’re gonna abide by the code of ethics. They’re giving their word that they’re not gonna enter into any kind of political discourse in the classroom, that they’re gonna teach professionally,” said Fabricio.

The bill will be considered by lawmakers when they meet in the next legislative session in January.

“My word means a lot to me and I imagine that their word also means a lot to them,” said Fabricio.