According to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, 16-year-old Orlando Wedderburn was fatally shot outside of a home, just after 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

BSO also said a woman was grazed by a bullet but will be OK.

New details Friday morning revealed that the shooting was a domestic incident and that all parties involved knew each other, but the exact relationships are unknown at this time.

Investigators said the incident took place off of Northwest 71st Street.

Home surveillance footage captured the moments paramedics attempted to transport Wedderburn to the hospital, but the teen would not survive.

Detectives spent hours outside the home into Thursday, leaving no stone unturned.

“I just came outside, and it was just caution tape all around, sheriffs all around,” said neighbor Carlos Chirinos.

The shooter stayed to speak to detectives following the incident. Officials he was defending himself and was released after questioning.

Area residents said they’re not used to law enforcement activity and were left rattled.

“Something shocking for the whole neighborhood,” said Chirinos.

“Very quiet, very safe, this is a big shock for me. I’ve been living here 25 years; nothing like this has ever happened,” said another neighbor.

Officials have not shared further information and said that the case has been taken over by the Broward Counry State Attorney’s Office.

The Miami Hurricanes: underdogs, underestimated and unstoppable.

“What a moment for the city, the alums, the program,” a commentator said after UM’s winning play. “Man. They deserve it.”

The Canes were invited into the college football playoffs out of 12 teams. The top conference teams advanced automatically, and the Canes were chosen to advance by a selection committee.

“Be fast, physical, violent and relentless. Whatever it takes,” UM’s head coach Mario Cristobal said.

UM hasn’t won a conference championship since moving into the ACC in 2003. Their five national championships in the 80s and 90s, however, ranks them as one of the best programs ever.

One of the team’s former coaches in the 80s, Jimmy Johnson, was in the stands Wednesday night showing support for the U. Cristobal, the current head coach, was one of Johnson’s players.

“Our guys have really worked hard at being a physical, violent bunch. And you know what? Coach Johnson!” Cristobal yelled to Johnson. “There you go, brother! There you go! Green Tree practice field! Let’s go. Wait for me. Don’t leave. Don’t leave. Don’t leave.”

They leaned on their foundation to beat the Texas A&M Aggies on Dec. 20. Wednesday night was no different. From the first quarter to the second, and from the start of the second half, all the way to the final few seconds, the program has proven they can do it all over again.

“Hey man, hard fought battle today, I don’t know what’s on my face, but man, oh man,” UM’s quarterback Carson Beck said. “It feels good to be a Hurricane, baby. Go Canes, let’s go.”

The win was a great start to 2026 for all Canes fans. The team is expected back home at the Coral Gables’ campus around 2 p.m. on Thursday. While the campus was calm early in the morning, 7News is expecting it to be another celebration when the team arrives.

Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Victoria Sigler had some words for Nicholas Eichorst during Wednesday morning’s bond hearing.

“Who doesn’t dislike the tax collector, huh?” Sigler told the 46-year-old. “But, you know, different ways to express that annoyance.”

Surveillance cameras rolled as a man who, police said, was Eichorst sprinted across the street and threw the menorah to the ground, Monday night. Bulbs scattered across the pavement and the fence around the menorah was left in pieces.

Now the suspect, who is homeless, is facing a charge of criminal mischief.

Earlier this week, Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez discussed the act of vandalism with 7News reporter Dannielle Garcia.

“Hanukkah represents light, and the only way to fight darkness is with light,” he said.

That light didn’t dim for long. Fernandez said a quiet act after the vandalism iswhat spoke volumes.

The surveillance video shows a good Samaritan restoring the menorah, piece by piece, after it was torn down.

Fernandez said the selfless act restored his faith in the community.

“It’s not a message about hate. It’s the message about, we are here to continue to fight for light, and that is the most important message here: that the only way to fight darkness is with light,” he said.

It took City of Miami Police officers less than 24 hours to locate and apprehend Eichorst.

The arrest report reveals this wasn’t the first time the suspect had targeted the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office. It states that he was arrested in November for throwing a rock at a window in the building, leaving a crack.

Regardless, the symbol of light will continue to shine with relience and solidarity.

“This beautiful time of the year is to celebrate together as a community, and that is the most important part that we have in Miami-Dade County, so it doesn’t matter what is your faith, we are going to be here for you,” said Fernandez.

Eichorst remains behind bars. Fernandez said he hopes to find the good Samaritan so he can thank him.

Surveillance footage released on Tuesday shows the suspect, identified as 46-year-old Nicholas Eichorst, tearing down the menorah and pushing it to the ground, Monday night.

The menorah, located outside of the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office, was part of the office’s first ceremony lighting a menorah on Saturday.

Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez issued a statement denouncing the latest act of vandalism, saying it “has no place in Miami-Dade County and no place in a civilized society.”

The county office had celebrated its first ever Hanukkah ceremony over the weekend for the holiday that ended on Monday.

According to the arrest report, it’s not the first time Eichorst has targeted the Tax Collector’s Office. Last month, Eichorst was arrested for throwing a rock at the building, cracking one of the windows.

Fernandez called the vandalism a despicable act and said the county’s tax collector’s office is working with authorities to identify the man in the video.

The tax collector said he wants to focus as well on the good Samaritan who found the vandalized menorah and restored it.

“But the good thing is, in the video, is that one bad actor can, you know, destroy the menorah, but another good person from our community comes back and restores the menorah, and that is the message that we wanted to give to our community,” Fernandez said. “It’s not a message about hate. It’s the message about, we are here to continue to fight for light, and that is the most important message here: that the only way to fight darkness is with light.”

Fernandez’s office said they are also looking for the good Samaritan so they can thank him.

The menorah is standing and lit once again as of Tuesday night.

“It doesn’t matter what’s your faith, we’re going to be here for you,” said Fernandez.

Authorities said the estimated damage for this incident is $500.

Eichorst remains behind bars on $2,500 bond.

Cellphone video posted to social media shows Kiara Bryant repeatedly punching a male employee at the Planet Fitness location at 775 SW 8th St., this past Friday.

Before tensions pumped up, witnesses said, the 35-year-old was visibly and verbally angry inside the gym. Footage shows things escalating as she puts on her socks and shoes to confront the employee.

According to a police report, the victim told officers that Bryant was yelling and acting disorderly in the locker room. When she came to the front entrance, he told her to lower her voice or he would call the police.

The report states the victim told officers that Bryant became more irate and came up to his face. He pushed her back with both hands in self-defense, but he said that only made matters worse.

In the video, Bryant appears to leave the gym, then quickly returns and jumps over the customer service counter to get close to the employee. She then goes on to punch him in the face, hitting him multiple times, as he crouched down and put his hands behind his neck in an attempt to shield his face.

Investigators said that after attacking the employee, she tried to escape in her car but was confronted by bystanders in the parking lot. When she noticed the commotion, she exited her vehicle and began to aggressively try to fight all of them at once until officers arrived.

The violent confrontation ended with the woman in handcuffs and charged with battery and disorderly conduct. The employee was left with a broken nose from the beating.

Friday morning, 7News showed the video to several startled members of this Planet Fitness location.

“That’s insane, it shouldn’t happen,” said a man. “I don’t know what was her reason. The gentleman is OK; I asked.”

“It’s crazy, it’s very crazy,” said another man. “The gym is not for that. It’s for trying, for [getting] healthy. I don’t know.”

In a statement, Planet Fitness spokesperson Heather Pearson wrote:

“The safety of our employees and members is our top priority and we have zero tolerance for violence of any kind in our clubs. We are committed to providing a safe environment. The franchise group worked closely with local police and have cancelled the member in question.”

The employee has since hired Weil Law Firm to represent him. 7News spoke to attorney Alecsander Kohn about the incident.

“He was simply doing his job as he does each and every day,” said Kohn. “Unfortunately, a customer took things too far and engaged in a brutal and vicious battery against him, ultimately fracturing his nose and sending him to the hospital.”

Kohn said the current focus of the case is making sure Bryant is held accountable.

“This course of events transpired simply from a directive to refrain from engaging in loud and disruptive behavior in the gym. She took out her anger against our client,” he said.

The victim has since returned to work.

Bryant has since bonded out of jail.

DeShawn Prendergast, with the bridge of his nose bandaged, stood before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer, late Wednesday morning.

“It’s my first time ever being arrested, Your Honor,” he said.

The New York native said he was only in Miami for tourism, but police say during his stay, he stole a Ferrari, ran from police and crashing the luxury car in Brickell.

The 28-year-old faces a list of charges, including fleeing and eluding police and grand theft auto.

According to investigators, Prendergast crashed a 2024 Ferrari Purosangue that was reported stolen into the power pole in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood, early Tuesday morning.

The impact took out a transformer.

Prendergast managed to not only get out nearly unscathed but run off and hide from police.

Cellphone video recorded by Michael Severino captured the moment of impact near the 1200 block of Southwest Second Avenue.

The bird’s-eye view from the Brickell high-rise Severino calls home shows it all play out.

“It’s so weird, because everything happened so quick,” said Severino. “I was recording reels for my [Instagram], and next thing you know, I see a whole police chase.”

Police said it all began Monday, when residents on North Meridian Avenue in Miami Beach reported that their Ferrari and 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan were stolen while in the care of a transport company.

According to the vehicles’ owners, the transport company stopped answering once the cars were missing.

“Not shocked at all. I mean, it’s a gorgeous car. If it was a Ferrari Purosangue, that’s probably the car I would pick, too,” said Brickell resident Robert Brand.

Detectives said the Rolls-Royce was recovered in an unspecified part of Miami-Dade County, but the Ferrari remained missing.

Then, shortly after midnight on Tuesday, City of Miami Police officers spotted the stolen Ferrari in the area of Southwest Second Avenue and 17th Street.

When the officers tried to make a traffic stop, investigators, Prendergast sped off, but he would not get very far.

“I see the Ferrari turn right here on this street, and he just collides with the cop,” said Severino.

The impact caused the suspect to lose control and slam into the power pole, sending sparks flying and knocking out the electricity in several homes.

“All of a sudden I hear a loud boom, and then all of the lights went really bright,” said Brand. “My microwave started making noises, and then everything just shut off immediately, and my whole apartment was without power.”

Cellphone video shows police running after Prendergast after, detectives said, he tried to hide in a nearby apartment building.

Eventually, police said, Prendergast surrendered, and after being treated at the hospital for a gash, he was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade.

In court Wednesday, Glazer said Prendergast should face additional charges.

“It looks like he also should have been charged with resisting without [violence] — he wasn’t — ’cause he fled from the police after he exited the vehicle,” she said.

Prendergast’s bond was set at $12,000. It has since been paid, and he is expected to be released later on Wednesday.

As of Wedneday afternoon, Miami Beach Police have not said whether the theft was part of an elaborate car theft ring or an isolated incident. They also haven’t specified how Prendergast got to drive the Ferrari in the first place and whether or not he works for the transportation company.

Surveillance video captured the moment of impact, as a 2024 Ferrari Purosangue slams into the light pole, literally causing sparks to fly, early Tuesday morning.

Seconds later, the screen goes white, because the transformer blew up, causing the power to go out in the area.

“It seems like it lights all the city,” said witness Andre Lermakov.

“I was sitting in my living room, on my laptop doing a bit of work, and all of a sudden I hear a loud boom, and then all of the lights went really bright,” said area resident Robert Brand. “My microwave started making noises, and then everything just shut off immediately, and my whole apartment was without power.”

7DroneForce hovered above the dark colored Ferrari, smashed and mangled. There was a wooden beam going through the driver’s side window.

According to Miami Beach Police, this all started when they responded to the reported theft of the Ferrari and a 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan along the 4200 block of North Meridian Avenue, at around 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

The owner of the Ferrari and the Rolls-Royce told 7News said they had hired a company to wrap the cars, adding they had used this company for years.

The vehicles’ owner believes the company hired a third-party transportation company to deliver the cars, and they believe the transportation company might have been behind the theft.

Miami Beach Police said that several hours later the owner of the company hired to wrap the Ferrari and Rolls-Royce called the vehicles’ owner to report they never arrived.

The vehicles’ owner said the transportation company stopped answering their phone.

Detectives said the Cullinan was recovered in an unspecified part of Miami-Dade County, but the Ferrari remained missing.

“Not shocked at all. I mean, it’s a gorgeous car. If it was a Ferrari Purosangue, that’s probably the car I would pick, too,” said Brand.

Early Tuesday morning, City of Miami Police said, the vehicle’s owner was able to ping the vehicle to the area of Southwest Second Avenue and 17th Street in Miami.

Responding officers spotted the subject getting into the Ferrari and driving off, investigators said, prompting them to conduct a traffic stop.

The driver took off, but he wouldn’t get very far. Police said he collided with a police cruiser, then lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the light pole.

“You know, it’s like you see [“Grand Theft Auto”] in real life,” said Lermakov.

Miraculously, the man was able to get out of the Ferrari, unscathed, and take off on foot.

“Like, I’m wondering how he was able to come out. Like, it looks like he’s kind of Houdini or someone. I don’t know,” said Lermakov.

The 28-year-old was not quite Houdini.

“Once that subject exited his vehicle, after the crash took place, he did a tip to conceal himself, at which point [officers] no longer had eyes on him,” said Miami Police spokesperson Kiara Delva.

Michael Severino witnessed the pursuit and subsequent crash from his 25th-floor balcony. Luckily, he had his phone camera rolling when it all unfolded.

“Everything happened so quick. I was just recording some reels for my Instagram and next thing you know, I see a whole police chase,” he said. “I see the Ferrari turn right here on this street and he collides with the cop and started drifting and lost control and crashed into a light pole.”

He said his video went viral on Instagram after he posted it.

Cellphone video captured officers with flashlights after they set up a perimeter.

“They were trying to look around and find [the driver] in the bushes. They were using flashlights and riding around that area,” said Iermakov.

“Let’s go ahead and see if county has K-9 out here and if not, let’s see if we can get our K-9 out here,” said an officer via police scanner.

Officers were able to track down and apprehend the subject shortly after. They say the man tried hiding in a nearby apartment building.

Paramedics transported the subject to Jackson Memorial Hospital with minor lacerations.

Back at the scene, cellphone video recorded by a witness shows multiple Miami Police units near Southwest Second Avenue, between 12th and 13th streets.

No other injuries were reported.

“Fortunately, no other innocent bystanders were injured as a result of this incident,” said Delva. “However, this could have taken a very tragic turn, so we’re very thankful that this subject was ultimately apprehended, and we can now charge him accordingly.”

The Ferrari has since been towed from the scene.

On Tuesday morning, 7News cameras captured Florida Power & Light crews lifting the toppled pole, as they attempted to get it back up and running.

The man was identified as DeShawn Prendergast, a New York native. He was booked into jail after being treated at the hospital.

He was charged with grand theft, running from police, among other charges.

Police are attempting to determine who was involved in this theft and whether it was a part of an elaborate car theft ring or an isolated incident.

Prendergast remains behind bars as of Tuesday night as a bond has not been set for one of his charges.

Jennifer Jimenez, a teacher at South Miami Senior High School, has been nominated for the Grammy Music Educator Award, one of the music industry’s most prestigious awards. She has been teaching at South Miami for 17 years.

7News got an inside look at one of her music classes, and it’s easy to figure out why she would be nominated.

“It’s way better soft-wise, but it cannot drag,” Jimenez said to her students.

She doesn’t jazz around or miss a beat.

“Keep it pushing forward. One more time,” the teacher said during class instruction.

Inside the band room, Jimenez fine-tunes her student musicians until the percussion is perfect, the drum is on beat, and every student is in harmony.

“Last note,” the Grammy-nominated teacher said during practice. “OK, so in the end, make sure you’re releasing those notes.”

Her attention to detail is exactly why this South Miami Senior High School teacher is being recognized on a national stage.

“They want to see how you are, how your students are in class, how they respond to you,” said Jimenez.

For the second year in a row, Jimenez has been nominated for the Grammy Music Educator Award.

Out of more than 2,000 nominees, just 10 finalists remain. This is also the second time Jimenez has made the final 10.

“Getting jobs, keeping jobs, developing those teamwork skills and those soft skills that employers look for — Music does all of that, and it’s one of the main vehicles that students can learn those skills,” she later told 7News.

What makes Jimenez’s teaching award worthy is that she listens with a keen ear, not just to the notes played but to the musicians behind the instruments.

Alisson Martinez, a senior at South Miami Senior High, plays the flute and the piccolo and has been in band all four years under Jimenez.

“I would consider her my second mother,” she said.

Izabella Tapanes, another senior at South Miami Senior High, plays the clarinet. She is also the woodwind captain and one of Jimenez’s assistants.

“Every student has a different way of speaking, a different way of dressing, of being — just being,” said Tapanes. “And she is so very welcoming.”

And if the Grammys decided the winner by student feedback alone, they’d award her the gold trophy in a beat.

“Obviously, it’s super rewarding for her, but it’s super rewarding for us as well, because she does so much,” Tapanes said.

“So I hope she actually gets to go and be there, and we’ll be supporting her just like she supports us,” Martinez said.

Despite the national recognition, Jimenez said the nomination is not about her, it’s about shining a spotlight on her students and community.

“I would love nothing more than to have Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the City of Miami, our community, and our students be elevated to a national level. I think that’s the focus, and that’s the goal,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez hopes to hit all the right notes and take home the Grammy award in February. She said the winner will be notified privately in January before traveling to Los Angeles for the ceremony.

Video provided by the Humane Society of Broward County showed the felines squished together inside the small crate.

Officials there said good Samaritans made the disturbing discovery on a dirt road near Broadview Park, finding 17 cats, including some kittens as young as 8 weeks old and others as old as 4 years.

Staff at the Humane Society described the conditions the cats were found in as “heartbreaking” and “unsafe.”

Veterinarians got to work administering care to the cats and kittens who, they said, weighed only one pound. Some of those kittens were so unhealthy and underfed that, veterinary staff said, it was nearly impossible to evaluate them.

“It is heartbreaking, and it’s really sad. They were crammed in there. It’s just, you know, there are resources; if you can’t take care of your pets, please don’t abandon them like this, said Cherie Watcher, the Humane Society of Broward’s vice president of marketing. “If these cats had not been found and sat there all day today in the heat, it would’ve been horrific.”

A situation like this is not entirely uncommon.

“Seventeen cats is a lot,” Watcher said. “Couple weeks ago, somebody dropped a box of 15 guinea pigs off outside of our admissions department. So, I think if anything, it reiterates the importance of spaying and neutering your pets because it can quickly lead to a big problem.”

Staff said the vulnerable kittens will be placed under the care of experienced volunteer foster parents, who will care for them until they are well enough to be put up for adoption.

According to vets, some of the older cats have been nursed back to good health and are available for adoption.

If you are interested in adopting any of these cats or any other animals at the Humane Society of Broward County, click here.

Miami Beach Police said the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Slemons Graves, targeted the victim on Tuesday after she parked her vehicle down the street from the Lehrman Community Day School, located along the 500 block of 77th Street.

According to an internal police memo, Graves came up to the victim as she began to walk toward the school, spat in her face and called her a “dirty Jew.”

The memo states Graves slapped the teacher on the left side of the head before he snatched her cellphone from her hand and threw it to the ground repeatedly, causing it to shatter.

Several parents who spoke with 7News said they were disgusted to hear about the incident.

“That’s terrible,” said a parent.

“Very concerning,” said another. “Unacceptable.”

Professional sports agent and 7Sports Xtra’s Drew Rosenhaus is among the parents in this school’s community.

“It really hurts, and it hits home,” said Rosenhaus. “It’s heartbreaking, and you hate to hear about it in our community or anyplace in the world.”

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner also reacted to the cruel act of hate.

“It’s disgusting. Any type of hate crime, certainly in this case, when someone is targeted because they’re wearing a Jewish star and then called names because they’re Jewish and then attacked and hit, shattered their cellphone, it’s horrific,” he said.

Meiner’s sentiments were echoed by Miami Beach Commissioner David Suarez.

“It’s disgusting. As a Jewish commissioner of Miami Beach, I take this personal,” he said.

Area residents told 7News it was scary to learn something like this happened in their neighborhood.

“Nobody should be discriminated against, against their religion or anything like that,” one area resident said.

“It’s unfortunately something which the Jewish people have lived with for centuries, and [for it] to happen in Miami Beach, a block away from my house, is shocking,” said Rabbi Shneur Korf.

Some residents said they were shocked such a hateful crime could happen in an area they described as peaceful.

“Very unusual, you know, to have any crime of any type whatsoever around here,” said area resident Ney Collazos.

Police said the victim ran toward the school, where a co-worker contacted police. Officers responded shortly after and saturated the area with the assistance of park rangers. In addition, a drone operator and undercover detectives canvassed the area in search of the subject.

Soon after their search began, they identified and arrested Graves.

Detectives responded to the school and spoke to the teacher. Sources said she told them that she was wearing a necklace with a star of David at the time of the incident.

Graves faces charges for strong-arm robbery and battery with prejudice. He is expected to go before a judge on Thursday.

CAMACOL has hosted annual food distributions in Miami for four decades. At around 7 a.m. on Wednesday, hundreds of bags filled with holiday staples started being handed out at loanDepot Park.

About an hour earlier, 7News’ Dronecam hovered above six different rows of cars that wrapped around the block outside the venue. Many drivers camped overnight and waited at the venue since Tuesday afternoon.

Among those who waited more than 12 hours was Juanita Álvarez. She said she has been first in line for about half the time CAMACOL has organized the annual tradition.

“I got here yesterday at 6 in the morning. Yes, and today is Wednesday, and it’s December the 10th, and I was here on a Tuesday, December the 9th, early in the morning,” said Álvarez. “They went and picked me up at 5:30, and we just got here and lined up right here.”

This year’s event is predominantly a drive-thru distribution. However, about 75 food baskets will be handed out to pedestrians as well.

When asked what brings her back every year, Álvarez told 7News, “This is my 17th year, and I just love to see all of y’all to come and interview me and to be with all my friends, and especially the basket … This is great, this is great. I’m waiting for it because, you know, this I share with my family. We need this because things are really expensive lately. I don’t know what’s going on, you know, but this helps a lot. This, oh my goodness, when I see it and all these people be giving me a bag here, a basket here, you know, oh, I be so happy. My heart is about to come out because I’m thinking about my family. You know, they need it.”

Álvarez said the bags being handed out are filled with generous portions of holiday staples.

“Like Publix and Sedano’s Supermarket, they’re there, you know. I saw the Coca-Cola, I saw the Goya, all these products. This is wonderful,” she said.

The drive-thru distribution differed from other years because the food items were handed out at loanDepotPark’s garage instead of in front of CAMACOL’s headquarters.

Inside the garage, 7News cameras captured several tents from more than a dozen different sponsors — including Coca-Cola, Goya and Iberia — that gathered to spread holiday cheer for those struggling to make ends meet. At the Publix tent, volunteers handed out entire porks to families.

“Felicidades,” said a Publix volunteer as he handed a pork to someone in the front passenger seat of a car

“Happy holidays,” said Álvarez.

One of the drivers who pulled into the garage said she is paying it forward.

“I work for a nonprofit that is called Volunteers of America, so I come to get this food for my clients that are homeless veterans,” she said. “So this is for them, we’re going to cook for them on the 22nd.”

“Unfortunately there’s a lot of families that are in big need,” said Sedano Supermarkets’ Pedro Mesa, Chair of the CAMACOL Holiday Basket Committee, “so Sedano’s, along with many other companies, it’s our responsibility as leaders of these communities to be here and make sure that everybody has a Nochebuena dinner.”

Those who received the bags of food expressed their gratitude.

“Getting together [to] enjoy our meal and enjoy our happiness [after we] come together,” said Jerry Rojas.

By moving the distribution onto Miami Marlins property and under the garage, it not only protected people from the weather, but also the immigrant community who might be in fear.

“This is great because by the Marlins being involved with us and being involved with this organization, it gives a safe space for people to come out and make sure that they have the food that they need for Christmas and the holidays,” said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rene Garcia.

If the long lines of cars were any indication, there are many people in need this holiday season.

When asked whether the wait was worth it, Rojas responded, “Definitely, definitely. It’s an event that we do every year, and it’s a lot of joy. That’s all it is.”

The distribution lasted until around noon. Each household that took part came away with about $400 worth of groceries.

Polling analysts predict this election could be historic. Even though the coveted mayoral seat is not party-affiliated, the race between Democrat Higgins and Republican Gonzalez has become increasingly partisan.

7News caught up with Higgins in downtown Miami after she cast her ballot.

“I’m very pleased to have all this national attention being placed on Miami. It’s already accelerating voter turnout. That is a really good thing in an off-year election,” she said.

Not long after, Gonzalez spoke with 7News from outside Miami City Hall in Coconut Grove.

“This race got politicized by my opponent. Very early on, the national Democratic Party came out and said, ‘She’s our candidate, and we’re going to get behind her, we’re going to put money and resources and people,'” he said. “All this time, I’ve been running as a [no-party-affiliation] candidate.”

Now there’s a big decision for voters heading to the polls on Tuesday.

Higgins won 36% of the vote in the Nov. 4 election and was the top contender in all of the city’s districts. However, she did not secure enough votes to win outright in the crowded race.

“For eight years, I have served this community as their county commissioner, and during that time, I stayed focused on the things that matter to people: building afforfable housing, expanding mass transit, protecting Biscayne Bay, lifting up small businesses, and speaking kindly and respectfully about our immigrant community,” she said.

The city hasn’t elected a Democratic mayor in over 30 years. Both the Democratic and Republican parties are focusing on the outcome of this race as a possible indicator for what could happen in Miami in next year’s midterms.

Gonzalez, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, said he wants to come back to City Hall to make Miami better.

“Because everybody else that’s been through the neighborhood uses this job to try and advance their political career for something else. I’m going to be the mayor of Miami to be the mayor of Miami,” he said. “I live here. I’m not interested in being anything else other than being the mayor of Miami.”

“The first thing that needs to happen is we need to have a complete change in attitude,” said Gonzalez. “We need to tell people, ‘You know what? We’ve had enough of this circus. Let’s move on, let’s grow up, let’s offer our honest, transparent, common-sense municipal government.'”

Both candidates agree on one thing: reforming City Hall.

“You know what? I’m tired of reading about ourselves, and it’s time to do something,” said Gonzalez.

“A place for corruption has no possible opportunity to thrive, because you have a government that’s focused on getting things done for you, the people,” said Higgins.

Miami Beach and Hialeah are also having runoff elections, but these cities’ races are just for commissioner and city council seats, respectively.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. For more information about the runoff election in Miami, click here. For the runoff election in Miami Beach, click here. For election information in Hialeah. click here.

7News cameras on Thursday captured demolition crews hard at work. Almost seven months after the propane blast rocked the shopping plaza on West Palm Drive, near Southwest 187th Avenue, the condemned structure is being brought down.

However, the scars remain for the 10 people that were injured and affected by the aftermath that day in May.

Syndy Thelemaque tearfully watched from outside as crews took apart what remained of her dream restaurant, which was supposed to have its grand opening when it exploded.

“You know, I’m just trying to keep it moving,” she said.

At the time, Thelemaque had just left her restaurant, Caribbean Heart, with her 1-year-old child just minutes before the explosion. Unfortunateky, her husband was still inside.

“He will never be the same, and I have four kids, I have two little ones, I have two kids under 2. I have to hold everything, deal with attorneys and all of those things; this is a lot,” said Thelemaque.

Her husband, Roussain Thelemaque, suffered severe burns and head injuries. He had to be airlifted to the hospital.

Now the couple are being represented by attorney Stephanie Ducheine-Walsh.

“We’ve filed our lawsuit against Florigas,” said Ducheine-Walsh.

“So many people are in so much problems, just because of one simple thing,” said Thelemaque.

Ducheine-Walsh claims Florigas failed to follow their own safety protocols and test for a gas leak.

The attorney said Florigas crews did an inspection two weeks before the explosion and were there again the day it happened.

“They were helping them light all of the equipment, and what happened was, they went to light a fryer and when Florigas’ employee, who has been deposed, held down that button to light the actual fryer, the explosion took place,” said Ducheine-Walsh.

Thelemaque, who is a teacher, had poured her life savings into this business, much like the other business owners in the mall who must now start over and fight for what they say is right.

“At the end of the day, they want Florigas to take responsibility. It’s in the fire report that they were negligent,” said Ducheine-Walsh.

“It is a miracle that we’re still alive, and that’s why I’m grateful every day for being alive. Obviously, I lost everything, and I’m in so much financial strain right now because we never planned for this to happen,” said Thelemaque. “I put everything we had into the opening of this — all licensing, you know, hire engineer, hire everybody that we need to get — and boom, within a second, we lost everything.”

Demolition crews could be seen taking out stoves and other appliances that will be preserved as evidence for this case.

The lawsuit and the investigation into this gas explosion is still ongoing.

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.

Cellphone video recorded by Miami Herald reporter David Goodhue captured the moments federal agents, most of them with their faces covered, pulled the screaming woman out of her stopped car in front of Pink Plaza at Mile Marker 103.4, early Wednesday morning.

“I’m a U.S. citizen. Please help me!” the woman yelled on the video. “This is unfair. Why are you doing this to me?”

The woman continues screaming as agents place handcuffs on her.

Dozens of drivers on their early morning drive witnessed the takedown of the woman. One of them was Goodhue, who spoke to 7News later in the day about the disturbing detainment.

“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.

The video showed a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy directing traffic as federal agents surrounded the woman’s Toyota Corolla.

“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.

7News is independently working to obtain more information about the woman, the reason for her detainment and which agency detained her.

“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.

Ultimately, authorities allowed the woman to leave in her own car after she sat in an agent’s patrol car for a few minutes.

According to The Miami Herald, similar enforcement operations have been happening in the area for a few weeks.

“I saw federal agents from several agencies this morning in Key Largo pulling people over from Mile Marker 104 down to the Pink Plaza, where this happened,” said Goodhue.

The reporter said the arrest he captured on camera was powerful to see.

“I don’t want to, you know, we’re reporters and want to stay objective, but just happened to be there when that happened. I mean, it was pretty powerful to see, especially when it turned out, in the end, they really didn’t have any reason to detain her,” said Goodhue.

7News has reached out to several agencies, including ICE, CBP and the Department of Homeland Security, to obtain more information about this detainment. As of Thursday afternoon, none of these agencies have responded.

MCSO said in a statement to 7News that they were part of this traffic stop, but only “to help keep the peace and keep traffic flowing.” They added the stop was conducted by federal agents.

There is a planned protest in front of the Islamorada Public Library Branch scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Archer announced its proposed air taxi network for Florida, including Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale.

Archer’s aircraft “Midnight” would let people beat the traffic by simply taking to the skies.

Melissa McCaffrey is the Head of Government Affairs at Archer Aviation.

“It would be short-distance flights, very appealing to folks that really – the goal is to get their time back. So nobody enjoys sitting in traffic,” she said.

Midnight has the potential to replace 60- to 90-minute commutes on the ground with 10 to 20 minutes in the air.

“This actually can really serve communities. Over time, I think you’re gonna see that, beyond the usual case of going to and from an airport, to serve folks who may not have access to an airport,” McCaffrey said.

Archer is working with different companies and real estate partners to get existing helipads ready and build specialized airports for the air taxis.

“We are including things like Apogee Golf Club and Hard Rock, so exciting things you want to do to get your time back instead of sitting in traffic,” she said.

The company said that what makes Midnight unique is that it is incredibly quiet.

“We are able to operate in areas that don’t necessarily have aviation, and then folks that would like to utilize this service will be able to do so. There is also zero emissions,” McCaffrey said.

McCaffrey highlighted that Midnight is incredibly safe.

“Even if everything were to fail, which is incredibly unlikely, you’re still able to land safely off the wing as you would in an emergency landing on a regular airplane,” she said.

Adam Goldstein, the founder and CEO of Archer Aviation, said they have been working with the Federal Aviation Administration to work on this new mode of transportation.

“We’re in the final steps of the certification process, showing that we can meet the safety to the rules that were put into place. So the timelines are hard to really predict because it’s based on passing all the tests from a safety perspective but the administration has been extremely helpful,” Goldstein said.

Archer is working on getting a price point for the air ride where it is comparable to a regular ridesharing experience like a taxi or Uber.

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.

From candy land confections to ’90s nostalgia, Christmas tree decor is taking over TikTok. Searches for “Christmas tree decor” are up 1,000% in just a few weeks.

With supply steady, 84% of Christmas tree growers said they don’t plan on raising wholesale prices. In fact, some may even lower them.

“When you have the large supply that we have right now, you need to get the trees harvested and sold. We can’t leave them in the ground forever,” a tree growing expert said.

Eighty-seven percent of artificial Christmas trees, ornaments, and decorations came from China last year. The American Christmas Tree Association expects artificial tree prices to be 10% to 20% higher. A $299 tree in 2024 could go as high as $359 this year, in 2025.

Tree farmers like the Joneses in Shelton, Connecticut are optimistic their real trees can meet Americans’ needs.

“Anyone who wants to get a beautiful, real, freshly grown Christmas tree, they’ll be able to find it — not just where we are in the Northeast, but all across the country,” Jamie Jones of Jones Family Farms said.

The average Christmas trees are going to be about the same as last year: about $80 to $100. Artificial trees, however, might cost about 10% to 20% higher because of tariffs.

“It means community, connection. It means humanity,” said Eddie Gloria, the CEO of Camillus House

At Camillus House in Miami, volunteers served warm meals that helped build hope and strengthen bonds for many people who are going through a difficult time.

“At the end of the day, what we’re dealing with are humans and people that need community and connection, a moment like this to remember that there’s hope, and that there’s people that care for them,” said Gloria.

A similar message was on display by volunteers at The Caring Place in Miami and Broward, helping those less fortunate by providing food, clothing, hygiene products and health services.

“To serve over 2,000 men and women that are gonna come get a Thanksgiving trimming, this is important because we all know that a society’s that’s been going through some stuff, you know, food cost is up,” said Antonio Villasuso, the president of The Caring Place.

Meals on Wheels also worked hard driving directly to the homes of vulnerable elderly residents across Broward to provide them with warm meals for the holiday.

“Our volunteers are getting ready to deliver over 300 hot, traditional Thanksgiving meals to seniors right here in Broward County who are homebound with no family to spend the holiday with,” said Wendy Bourgault, the executive director for Meals on Wheels South Florida.

While the food they served may vary slightly, each organization and every volunteer worked in unison to ensure as many people in South Florida had a memorable Thanksgiving, filled with turkey, stuffing and pie.

“Because the real secret, in my opinion, is to really, to serve, right? You give, you get so much more in return,” said Gloria.

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office units responded to reports of stabbing at in the area of Northwest 119th Street and 11th Avenue, at around 2:20 p.m., Wednesday.

Surveillance video from inside the Fritanga Pinolandia captured the frightening encounter.

Several customers could be seen standing on the far side of the restaurant. Some shielded their children from the violent attack.

“All the customers and my co-workers [were] afraid [of] somebody with scissors,” said Bernardo Ruiz, the restaurant’s manager.

According to the MDSO, the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Damaris Rodriguez, had been asking people in the area for money when she approached the victim.

“Probably they [were] fighting for tips or for food or something that a customer gave to one of them,” said Ruiz.

That was when the confrontation escalated. When the victim declined, Rodriguez followed her and stabbed her in the upper extremities, investigators said.

Several witnesses called 911.

“We called the police. We called the police. Thank God the police come over, thank God,” said Ruiz.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported the victim to a nearby hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.

Rodriguez was detained without further incident and taken to jail. She is facing several charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

The normally busy restaurant was forced to close for several hours as authorities investigated the scene but later reopened in time for the dinner rush.

As of Thursday afternoon, the condition of the woman who was stabbed is not known.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the Sept. 14 shooting, which happened around 11:15 a.m. along the west canal bank near the 1400 block of Northwest 191st Street, authorities said.

According to investigators, an off-duty MDSO deputy recognized 27-year-old Isaiah Rashard Collins, who was considered armed and dangerous and wanted by Pembroke Pines Police in connection with a double homicide.

As Collins ran from the deputy, the deputy requested emergency backup.

Collins fled the area on foot, ran across the Florida Turnpike, jumped into a canal, swam across and climbed into a tree, according to authorities.

Additional deputies arrived and pleaded with Collins to come down, but authorities said he refused to cooperate and made erratic movements.

At one point, authorities said, Collins gestured toward his waistband as if he was reaching for something, and a deputy fired his weapon, hitting Collins in the lower left arm. Authorities then used non-lethal bean bag rounds to subdue Collins.

Collins was then taken into custody and airlifted to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital in stable condition.

Collins was initially arrested in Miami-Dade before being transferred to Broward County to face two counts of first-degree murder. He was charged with the murders of Octavis Meyers and Tiara Belizaire-Young.

The couple was found dead in a home on Northwest 109th Avenue in Pembroke Pines. Collins was the grandson of the home’s owner.

7News cameras captured long lines of people and vehicles at Gwen Cherry Park, located at 7090 NW 22nd Ave. in Northwest Miami-Dade, just after 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Miami-Dade Corrections organized the food distribution alongside sponsors like SouthPromo.com, Tax Me Corp., Demesmin & Dover Law Firm and BLACC/AHF.

“We’re doing what we love to do: We’re giving out a whole bunch of love,” said Miami-Dade Corrections Director Sherea Green, “and as you look around, you see all of out staff, we’re here, we’re celebrating, and we’re giving back.”

Aming those in attendance at the event, called Blessing on the Block, was Trina, a rapper who was born and raised in Miami.

The event drew so many people that the line of people stretched around the block.

“It’s the community where I was born and raised, so it’s great to come back with my team to celebrate, to give back, to show love,” said Green. “We’re doing the heart of things here today.”

Participants received a turkey, groceries and other essential items on a first-come, first-served basis.Organizers said they expect the event to feed about 800 families.

“Oh, my God, I’m feeling very good today,” said a driver who picked up food for his loved ones. “When it comes to rent prices and the prices of food and everything, it’s very overwhelming.”

“My God, I wouldn’t have a Thanksgiving without this program, let me tell you,” said a man, “’cause Social Security, retirement, you know, money doesn’t go as far as it used to.”

U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., is expected at the federal courthouse in downtown Miami, Monday afternoon. Her appearance comes days after her alleged co-conspirators, her brother and two others, appeared before a judge.

Michael Pizzi is the attorney representing Cherfilus-McCormick’s brother, Edwine Cherfilus.

“He has pleaded not guilty. He has proclaimed his innocence,” said Pizzi, the lawyer.

The indictment alleges a healthcare company Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother worked for received an overpayment of federal funding from the state of Florida.

Court records state the overpayment of more $5 million was the result of a clerical error by the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

The indictment alleges the siblings had the intent to keep and convert the stolen funds for their own use.

Prosecutors said the money was withdrawn through wire transfers and personal check into accounts controlled by Cherfilus-McCormick, Cherfilus and others.

Moreover, prosecutors said, the suspects are accused of purchasing a more than three-carat “fancy vivid yellow diamond ring.”

Cherfilus-McCormick spoke out against her indicment to reporters.

“This is an unjust indictment, and it seems like these intimidation tactics have been pervasive,” she said.

But prosecutors said the money, disguised as campaign contributions, was ultimately used to fund Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 run for Congress. The 46-year-old went on to win that race.

Now, nearly four years later, Cherfilus-McCormick, her brother, her chief of staff and tax preparer have all been indicted.

Cherfilus-McCormick said she will keep fighting what she described as a move to expel her from public office.

“We’re going to keep fighting for the people and keep working like we are now’re doing now until we get what they need. So, we’re here for the people. Only the people who elected me should make that decision. Thank you so much,” she said.

Cherfilus-McCormick is expected to appear before a judge around 1:30 p.m. on Monday.

Barbara Kepner told ABC’s Good Morning America that 18-year-old Anna Kepner‘s cause of death was asphyxiation, caused by an arm across her neck.

“The FBI contacted my son and family and told us her cause of death. Her cause of death was asphyxiation. They said when they took her body to the medical examiner’s office, it was in perfect condition,” said Barbara.

Authorities said a housekeeper discovered Anna’s body under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered by blankets, on board a Carnival cruise ship earlier this month. Sources said she died of asphyxiation caused by an arm across her neck.

Her body was removed from the ship after it docked in PortMiami, Nov. 8. prompting an FBI investigation.

According to court documents, Anna’s 16-year-old stepbrother, who shared a cabin with her and another sibling, is considered a suspect in the case.

Anna’s stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, appeared virtually in a Florida family court with her ex-husband in an unrelated custody matter. The investigation came up during the hearing.

“[Shauntel’s son] is a suspect in the death of the stepchild, an 18-year-old [step]daughter, that was in the same room,” said the ex-husband’s attorney.

A court filing in the unrelated family court matter noted the stepbrother could face charges. As of Monday morning, no charges had been filed.

“I can’t accuse him because I don’t know what happened in that room but the summation would be that he did something,” said Barbara. “Whatever happened in that room, the only person responsible is the person that was in the room with Anna.”

Josh Tew, Anna’s ex-boyfriend, said he planned to go on the cruise with Anna and her family, until the two broke up several months ago.

“She complained about him being uncomfortable, or her being uncomfortable around him,” he said.

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing. With no charges filed and no arrests made, Tew and his family are hoping they’ll see justice for Anna.

“I’m praying and hoping that this will come out, so that they will have a solid case and justice will be done for why she’s not with us today,” said Jim Tew, Josh’s uncle.

“Good Morning America,” on ABC Miami, Channel 18, aired the full interview with Anna’s grandmother, Monday morning.

7News cameras on Friday captured I’zary Morris, joined by his mother and several City of Miami Fire Rescue firefighters as they sang him “Happy Birthday to You.”

Just moments earlier, I’zary shook the hand of Capt. David Nuñez.

“How are you doing? Long time no see,” said Nuñez.

This was technically not the first time this City of Miami fire crew — Nuñez, Capt. Robert Cenuda and Alexander Quintero — met I’zary.

“Get ready to catch this football that’s coming out,” said Quintero as he recalled the tense moments I’zary’s mother gave birth in 2015.

No longer the size of a football, 10 year-old I’zary is all grown up. He celebrated his birthday with the firefighters who safely delivered him on the side of the road back in 2015.

“We stopped and, within one minute of being on scene, she was having contractions, we started having the baby’s head come out, and we actually had to deliver on the scene,” said Nuñez.

“At that moment, it was very scary for me, and I was so happy to see them,” said Shaniqua Seymour, I’zary’s mother. “So it feels good to know that they’re still here, and [I’zary] was able to meet the people that actually helped deliver him.”

I’zary came into the world quickly, and his mom said he’s still fast. He plays football and runs track.

For his 10th birthday, he asked to meet his heroes.

“It’s great to see him, that he’s doing well, that he’s happy,” said Cenuda. “Apparently [he’s] a great student and an athlete as well. It’s exciting to see when it turns out well.”

The firefighters pulled out the red carpet for him — or, in this case, the red trucks.

I’zary smiled as he wore the firefighting gear, rode around the block in the back seat of the fire truck, learned the tools, and put up the ladder. They even trained him on putting out a fire with a hose.

When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, I’zary replied, “Be a firefighter.”

“It made me so happy, because I love to go all out for my children’s birthday,” Seymour said. “So, to see this happen today was really heartwarming for me.”

“And seeing the smile on his face was priceless,” Nuñez said.

“What an amazing child. To be just part of that whole thing and be able to know that I helped bring that into the world is a great feeling,” firefighter Quintero said.

Back then, it was Quintero’s first time delivering a baby. Now, he’s helped deliver several others, including his own.

“You know as a parent how stressful, vulnerable, and scary it can be, so to be able to be there and help bring some calmness and reassurance in that time for his family was – I mean, I’ll remember that for the rest of my life,” he said.

It’s not often firefighters are on a call like this, or get a happy ending, or even get the chance to reunite with the patients they help save. So, they didn’t take this moment lightly.

“You get the extremes, from wild tragedies to something incredible like this one. It is, it’s a wild up and down on a daily basis,” Cenuda said.

As for I’zary, he hopes it won’t be his last time on a fire truck.

“You know, we may have touched him in the right way, so he can one day become a fireman, and I think that’s amazing. You know, and I hope to see him on the floor before I go,” Quintero said.

These people are now forever intertwined by a special moment and even more special reunion.

“Thank you all for what you helped me with 10 years ago,” Seymour said. “I was very scared, and I really appreciate you.”

After the reunion, I’zary plans to go on a cruise with his family, but he told 7News that being with these firefighters was the better birthday present.

Kepner, a Titusville cheerleader who planned to join the military, was found dead Nov. 8 under a bed in her cabin, wrapped in a blanket and covered by life vests, according to a security source briefed on the case who spoke with ABC News.

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner has not determined her cause or manner of death.

Investigators are examining whether an altercation may have occurred between Kepner and her stepbrother before her death, while also considering other possibilities such as a medical emergency or an overdose, the source told ABC News.

Agents are reviewing surveillance video, access-card records and other ship security data to determine who was near Kepner in the hours leading up to her death.

The Carnival Horizon docked at PortMiami the day Kepner’s body was discovered, prompting the FBI’s Miami field office to launch a federal investigation.

The FBI declined to comment Tuesday. Carnival Cruise Line said its focus remains “supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI.”

Kepner had been traveling with her stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, her father and Hudson’s children.

Days after the teen’s death, Hudson sought to delay a hearing in an unrelated Brevard County family court case, citing the federal investigation.

According to the filing, Hudson’s attorneys were informed that “a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children” who was on the cruise.

“If the FBI has told a stepmother that one of the siblings may be charged in this case then that means that there’s a greater likelihood obviously that they will be charged,” sad Brad Garrett, a former FBI agent. “We don’t know what the evidence is, let’s say, against one of the stepsiblings but the next procedure would be they issue an arrest warrant.”

The document notes Hudson “cannot be compelled to testify,” saying her statements could be prejudicial to her or her child in the criminal probe.

A separate emergency motion filed Monday by Thomas Hudson — the children’s father and Shauntel Hudson’s former spouse — states the couple’s 16-year-old son is now a suspect in Kepner’s death and is currently living with a third party after being released from custody.

The motion accuses Shauntel Hudson of denying court-ordered parenting time, failing to involve the father in major decisions and placing the children at risk, and seeks temporary custody of the youngest child.

Kepner’s loved ones described her to ABC News as joyful, energetic and deeply devoted to school, volunteering and cheerleading.

She was preparing to graduate this spring and had recently passed military entry testing.

A memorial at her high school parking space has grown with flowers and stuffed animals, and a celebration of life is planned Thursday in Titusville.

No charges have been filed, and federal authorities have not indicated whether Kepner’s death will ultimately be ruled a crime. The investigation remains active.

Kepner, a Titusville teen described by her family as a straight-A student with plans to join the military, was discovered deceased on board the Carnival Horizon.

According to reports by the Daily Mail, she was found by a housekeeper underneath the bed in her cruise cabin, wrapped in a blanket and covered in life jackets.

The Horizon docked at PortMiami on Nov. 8, where the FBI’s Miami field office opened a federal investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Carnival Cruise Line has said it is fully cooperating with federal authorities.

Kepner was traveling with family members, including her stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, who was also accompanied by her own minor children.

In a newly filed emergency motion in Brevard County family court, Hudson’s attorney stated that the FBI has advised her that “a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children” who were on the cruise at the time of Anna’s death.

The FBI is investigating Kepner’s teenage step-brother. He has been labeled as a suspect in the investigation and is staying with a relative of his mother for the safety of the other children in the home.

The filing, submitted on Monday, seeks to postpone a scheduled court hearing on unrelated family-law matters, arguing that Hudson cannot testify without risking self-incrimination or jeopardizing the minor child in the federal probe.

Kepner’s family told ABC News she was a joyful and energetic young woman who lit up every room, volunteered in her community, competed in cheerleading and loved the water.

She was set to graduate high school next spring and had recently passed testing to enlist in the military.

Friends created a memorial around her parking spot at school, leaving stuffed animals and flowers in her honor.

Loved ones are expected to host a celebration of life for Kepner in Titusville on Thursday.

Neither the FBI nor Carnival have released details about what may have led to Kepner’s death, and no charges have been filed.

The investigation remains active.

United Way Miami is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those in need through volunteer efforts.

A couple dozen volunteers gathered at the United Way Ansin Building, located at 3250 SW 3rd Ave., for their annual Thanksgiving drive, Tuesday morning.

Symeria Hudson is the CEO of United Way Miami.

“We’re excited to see the volunteers hard at work, making sure that our families in Miami-Dade County get the support that they need,” she said.

Each meal kit was filled with Thanksgiving fixings, as well as Publix gift cards, so families could go buy their turkeys or ham.

With sponsors like Amazon and Florida Power & Light, volunteers shipped off more than 1,500 meal kits.

Angelica Santibanez, the Florida spokesperson for Amazon, was among the many volunteers packing kits.

“That’s why we’re here today, partnering with United Way Miami, who serve the most needy of our communities, in making sure everyone has something for the holiday season,” she said.

Bianca Soriano, a spokesperson for FPL, said this drive fills a need in the community.

“We wanna serve our communities where we live and work, and it’s really just about packing kits for people who need food, and also energy efficiency items to help lower their bills,” she said.

According to the United Way, more than 500,000 households in Miami-Dade County are either in poverty or unable to afford basic necessities.

“It is more important now than ever, as we think back on the government shutdown and what happened with SNAP benefits being halted,” Hudson said. “The government is now reopened, but there’s still the residual effect. So these kits are coming at a very critical time right now.”

The meal kits are on their way to more than two dozen South Florida agencies, like after care programs for low income families and organizations for the elderly and disabled.

Families will be able to pick up the kits throughout the week, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The service for MDSO Deputy Devin Jaramillo started at around 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, more than three hours after the hearse carrying his body left Caballero Funeral Home South surrounded by deputies on motorcycles.

7News cameras captured the moment law enforcement officers carried Jaramillo’s casket, draped in a U.S. flag, inside the stadium.

The somber ritual was familiar: the flag draped coffin accompanied by an honor guard and a riderless horse symbolizing a fallen leader.

Among the brothers and sisters in blue who spoke about the 27-year-old deputy’s character was an officer from Coral Gables Police, where Jaramillo served for three years before joining MDSO.

“You were the kind of officer every partner hopes for: loyal, driven,” Coral Gables Police Officer said Melenni Alzate. “You faced every call with courage and every person with heart. You reminded me and everyone around you what this job truly means: service, sacrifice and love for the community we swore to protect.”

Coral Gables Police Chief Edward Hudak said it was tough to find comfort words during this difficult time.

“I am honored with offering words of comfort. Words that make sense. Quite frankly, I’ve not been able to find those words for days,” he said.

MDSO Sgt. Carlos Arguelles, Jaramillo’s uncle, described his nephew as a caring human being.

“He was a grand young man. Devin Matthew Jaramillo: a devoted son, brother, nephew, uncle, student, athlete, deputy, connoisseur and the sweetest, most genuine soul I’ve ever known,” he said.

The deputy’s mother, Yolanda Jaramillo, called him her pride and joy.

“There are no words for what it feels like to lose a child. My baby boy, mi macho lindo. Devin chose a life of service, a life of courage and a life centered around protecting others,” she said. “My son wore his badge with pride. I am proud of the man he became, proud of the officer he was, and I’m proud to be the one he called ‘Mommy.'”

Jaramillo’s father David also paid tribute to his son, who followed in his footsteps to become a law enforcement officer.

“Devin could have been – could have chosen any other path, but instead, he followed in my footsteps and became a protector, a guardian, committed to the greater good,” he said. “His acts of kindness and courage were just small fragments of his character. He was a gladiator who stood against injustice, those who couldn’t protect themselves.”

For his family, it was a ceremony that came far too soon.

“For me, he was my older brother who made the world feel a little less scary,” said sibling Isabella Jaramillo. “Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God. Rest easy my beautiful brother.”

Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz told the audience that what happened to Devin is never OK.

“There is nothing about this that is fair and this is not OK and it will never be OK. But you are not alone,” said Cordero-Stutz.

The emotional occasion comes hours after the motorcade left the funeral home and made its way to St. Matthew The Archangel Catholic Church, located near Southwest 27th Avenue and Flagler Street, where family members and friends of the 27-year-old gathered for the private Mass.

7Skyforce hovered above the hearse as Jaramillo’s casket was removed of the vehicle and taken inside the house of worship, as several dozen deputies stood in a respectful salute. While the service was held, MDSO deputies stood guard outside.

Once the Mass wrapped up, at around 9:15 a.m., the motorcade left for loanDepot Park for the larger public memorial service.

Earlier in the day, cameras captured an enhanced police presence outside the stadium, including K-9s and officers blocking off entrances.

Fire officials were also on hand to prepare the venue for the service. Cameras showed a giant U.S. flag hoisted atop two ladder trucks — one from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the other from Coral Gables Fire Rescue — near the entrance to the stadium.

The public began parking at the stadium at around 7:30 a.m., and the doors opened about an hour later.

The service comes 11 days after Jaramillo was shot and killed when he responded to a traffic crash near a warehouse by Southwest 128th Street and 122nd Avenue in Southwest Miami-Dade.

Upon arrival, investigators said, Jaramillo and the gunman, identified as 21-year-old Steven Rustrian, got into a fight, and at one point the shooter disarmed the deputy and used his gun to shoot him.

Authorities said Rustrian went back to his own car and took his own life.

Despite the best efforts from first responders, Jaramillo would not survive.

Once it left the church, the funeral procession traveled north along Northwest 27th Avenue before arriving at Seventh Street. It then headed east to 17th Avenue and arrived at the stadium.

After the ceremony ended, another procession headed for Jaramillo’s burial site, a cemetery located about 20 miles away, where he was laid to rest.

Davie Fire Rescue units responded to the home located on the 8500 block of Southwest 21st Street on Sunday morning to find the home engulfed in flames, with smoke billowing into the sky.

7News cameras captured fire crews fighting the flames and damaged windows.

Lisa Binger and her husband, Marco, said they spotted the flames and immediately tried to see if anyone was trapped inside.

“He was knocking on the doors and stuff like that, and he said, ‘Let’s break the windows.’ They took a planter and threw it through the window,” said Lisa.

She described the fire she witnessed to 7News.

“The smoke was black and high. The fire was red, orange, and it was crazy,” she said.

Despite several attempts, the couple were unable to make their way to the man living inside because of his belongings blocking their path.

“To find out that there was somebody inside, and they had passed away, and we were just right here, and I don’t know if a little faster, or if he had died before. I don’t know, but it was nerve-racking all day long,” said Lisa.

Fire crews quickly battled the blaze, ultimately extinguishing it.

Neighbors said the man was found deceased in his tub.

“He was in the tub with water, I guess trying to survive, I guess,” said Lisa.

They said they are shocked to learn of his death.

“We’re all in a bit of shock right now, as you can see by everybody that’s here. It’s just very surreal,” said neighbor Kim Baumgardt.

The United Teachers of Dade and the UTD Retiree Chapter on Monday identified the victim as Martin Hoffer, a retired teacher and member of the union.

“United Teachers of Dade and the UTD Retiree Chapter are deeply saddened by the passing of Martin Hoffer, a dedicated educator and cherished member of our union family. Martin retired as a teacher from Miami Lakes K-8, where he inspired generations of students and colleagues with his commitment to education and his unwavering support for public schools. Martin was not only a respected teacher but also a valued member of the UTD Retiree Chapter, where he continued to advocate for educators and contribute to the strength of our union community. His legacy is one of service, compassion, and a lifelong dedication to the well-being of students and teachers alike. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Martin’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved him. We honor his memory and the impact he made on our schools and our union. Martin Hoffer will be remembered as a true champion of public education and a beloved member of the UTD family.”

Statement from United Teachers of Dade and the UTD Retiree Chapter

Officials with Miami-Dade Schools told 7News Hoffer retired as a special ed teacher in June.

Back at the mobile park, Baumgardt said Hoffer’s wife passed away just a few years ago.

“And after that, we did not see much of Martin anymore,” she said.

Hoffer’s best friend, Mike Schlossberg, told 7News he had gone to check on him after not being able to get in touch with him throughout the day.

“Since his wife died, I call him every day to make sure he’s OK, and I tried calling yesterday,” said Schlossberg.

Hoffer’s neighbors broke the news to Schlossberg that his lifelong friend did not survive.

“I knew Marty since before 9 years old. We grew up in the same apartment house, went to high school together, it’s terrible,” said Schlossberg.

7News cameras captured the victim’s clothes and mementos charred and covered in soot from the fire.

But in the midst of ash and rubble, neighbors are honoring the man, whom they described as a devout husband.

“We’re not all the same. He was a little bit different but he was a wonderful guy,” said Schlossberg. “I can’t believe I’m saying this.”

“They seem to be very lovely people. They seem to have a very loving marriage. They were very wrapped up in each other,” said Baumgardt.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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.

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene of the shooting in the area of Southwest 67th Avenue and Bird Road on Wednesday night and set up a crime scene around a McDonald’s.

7News cameras captured a handful of deputies searching for evidence of a shooting, using their flashlights to scan the parking lot.

A short time later, deputies were seen investigating an area north of the initial scene. It’s unclear whether they were looking for a weapon or searching for the subjects.

Detectives said that upon arrival, they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. Rescue crews took the victim to a nearby hospital in stable condition.

While two people have been detained, there are still a lot of unanswered questions about what happened at this shopping plaza, such as what led up to the shooting and whether the gunman and the victim knew each other.

The MDSO Kendall District General Investigations unit has taken the lead in the investigation.

MDSO deputies responded to the scene of the violent wreck near Northwest 22nd Avenue and 74th Street, at around 3:25 a.m. on Wednesday.

The deputy driving the cruiser was coming over the railroad tracks while heading northbound on 22nd Avenue when they veered off the road, slammed into a palm tree and took out a street sign as the vehicle flipped over multiple times and came to rest upside down on the sidewalk.

Investigators said the deputy was able to exit the vehicle. Paramedics transported the victim to a nearby hospital with lacerations to his upper extremities. The patient is listed in stable condition.

Area residents described the outcome of this crash as miraculous.

“It you walked away from that, that’s a miracle there, and I don’t know what to day about that. That’s a miracle,” said a man. “The car was all crumpled up. I don’t think you can survive that.”

“Oh, Lord. Thank you, thank you, Lord. Yes, that [crash] is bad. Oh, my God,” said a woman.

The mangled cruiser, initially seen overturned, has since been uprighted by crews and towed away while they investigate.

Deputies were seen retrieving the deputy’s personal belongings from the vehicle.

Authorities shut down 22nd Avenue between 75th Street and the railroad tracks. The road has since been reopened.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Neither Higgins nor Gonzalez reached the majority of votes needed on Tuesday night to win outright, so there will be another round of voting.

Higgins got 36% of the vote, receiving over 13,000 votes, while Gonzalez got 19% of the vote, capturing over 7,000 votes.

Both candidates have held office previously and have had long political careers.

Higgins focused her mayoral campaign on restoring trust in City Hall and addressing affordability. Gonzalez focused his campaign on bringing change to the city.

Gonzalez was endorsed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis while Higgins was endorsed by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

Earlier this year, Gonzalez successfully sued the city to stop them from pushing the elections to 2026, which is what the commission had tried to do.

At their own victory party, both candidates said they are excited to move forward to the runoff.

“They know me from my work, and that’s what I am going to bring to City Hall. There’s not going to be drama, right? We’ve had all this drama and people yelling and all these corruption cases and scandals. That’s going to stop. There will be no drama, there will be no yelling, just hard work every day on behalf of the people,” said Higgins. “I am just so honored to come in with the largest number of votes going into the final runoff.”

“It’s been a lot of fun. I campaigned hard, I got the message out, and we needed to do something different, our residents need us to do something different. Just the fact that I had to sue the city, we wouldn’t be here today, and that says a lot about my commitment to this community,” said Gonzalez.

While Higgins managed to get nearly twice the number of votes that Gonzalez did, he told 7News he is not concerned heading into the runoff.

“Eileen Higgins and Ken Russell, they campaigned against each other because they were competing against the same demographic,” said Gonzalez. “I had to campaign against 12 people. So the fact that I finished with 20% of the vote, for me, that’s where I wanted to be. That’s where I thought I would be.”

Tuesday night’s results show Russell captured about 18% of the vote, while Miami Commissioners Joe Carollo and Alex Diaz de la Portilla had weak showings.

Despite failing to hit the necessary 50% to win on election night, both Higgins and Gonzalez are confident they can reach that threshold with the race narrowed down to two candidates.

“I want to make sure when we go back to their doors this week, it’s not the first time they’ve met us, it’s not the first time that they’ve heard about the things that I care about and my vision of integrity,” said Higgins. “I have a track record. I’ve been on the county commission for eight years. I have a track record of results. I don’t talk about what I might do, I actually just do what I talk about.”

“She has a voting record, I don’t. All I can do is run on my successes,” said Gonzalez. “I’ve been in leadership positions since the minute I graduated from college. I’ve had a lot of fun. I’ve had a lot of adventures. I’ve served in the army, I’ve served in the White House, I’ve served as the immigration director, as the airport director, as the city manager, and those varied experiences, I think, adds to the greater whole.”

The runoff election will take place on Dec. 9.

Voters in Miami, Hialeah and Miami Beach will be choosing a new mayor, and some commissioner seats are also up for grabs.

7News cameras on Tuesday morning captured voters heading to their precinct in Miami.

“I think it’s your civic duty. Turnout’s lower in local elections, and it’s just important to make decisions about what your community looks like, what our values are, so I just think it’s important to vote in every election,” said voter AJ D’Amico.

In Miami’s crowded mayoral race, the top six contenders — Joe Carollo, Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Emilio Gonzalez, Eileen Higgins, Ken Russell and Xavier Suarez — have all held office previously and have had long political careers.

Voters told 7News that even though local elections have smaller turnout, they know their votes can have a big impact.

“I don’t like the way the politics are going, so I feel I have to do my share,” said voter Carol Sonnenberg.

“It’s very important to vote because who represents certain parts of marginalized communities? And I think everyone should have a voice in these elections, especially how important it is from what we’re experiencing now,” said voter Amber Canales.

Carollo, a current city commissioner, has previously served twice as mayor of Miami. He was also sued successfully by local businesses for weaponizing police resources against them.

Diaz de la Portilla, a former commissioner, was suspended from office for a host of corruption charges, all of which were later dropped due to inconsistent witness testimony.

Gonzalez, a previous city manager and former CEO of Miami International Airport, successfully sued the city to stop them from pushing the elections to 2026.

Higgins is a Miami-Dade commissioner, Russell is a former city commissioner, and Suarez is a former city mayor and the father of current mayor Francis Suarez.

If no candidate garners more than 50% of the vote, the top two will advance to a Dec. 9 runoff election.

In Miami Beach, current Mayor Steven Meiner is squaring off against City Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez.

“Across the city, you see vacant storefronts, everybody is talking about Wynwood and downtown Miami and I want to bring everyone back to Miami Beach. I’m going to make our city centers a place that all of you want to gather in and I will represent every Miami Beach resident,” said Rosen Gonzalez.

“We’ve done a lot of great work in literally less than two years — cleaned up spring break, crime is down, our homeless numbers are down, we’re getting parks open, infrastructure projects done,” said Meiner. “I’m really proud of the work we’ve done and we have to keep the momentum going.”

Voters will also elect candidates in three open commission seat races.

On this Election Day, voters said it’s just as easy as it is important to cast your ballot at the polls.

“Very easy, you just walk to the booth. I mean, I don’t see any complications. You spend 10, 15 minutes out of your day; it’s not a big deal,” said Sonnenberg.

Across the country, the race for New York City mayor is being closely watched for possible clues about the political climate heading into the 2026 midterms. There are also key governor elections in Virginia and New Jersey.

This off-year election will be the first big electoral test of President Donald Trump’s second term.

Polls are now open and close at 7 p.m. Results will start rolling in at around 7:15 p.m. For more information about precinct locations in Miami-Dade, click here.

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene of the incident near Southwest 192nd Street and 113th Place on Saturday night.

Officials said the victim was walking in the neighborhood to grab dinner when he was shot in the hand by crossfire.

“A male victim, juvenile, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his right hand,” said MDSO Deputy Joseph Peguero. “The victim began to run, seeking for help, and a good Samaritan was able to make contact with the victim.”

The good Samaritan was able to help the victim until deputies arrived.

Those in the neighborhood were shocked to hear what had occurred.

“The shots stopped for a few seconds, and they started again. That’s when we realized it was gunshots, so we grabbed the kids, we ran inside the house,” said area resident Yunior Diaz.

Another neighbor said his grandmother’s car was left riddled with bullets following the shooting.

“They were shooting down this way. On the front part here by the door and it hit the window back here as well,” he said. “He could’ve really just lost his life just trying to get something to eat.”

Darell Collins, an anti-gun violence activist, said he and other residents are frustrated by the ongoing gun violence.

“This has been ongoing in this project right here, called The Square, and it needs to stop,” he said. “I know how it feels. ’cause I lost two kids to gun violence. You guys need to watch your kids very carefully, because these guns out here is just killing people.”

As of Monday morning, deputies said they do not have a subject in custody. They said the teen who was injured underwent surgery and is expected to be OK.

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.

7News reporter Dannielle Garcia took the reins at George Washington Carver Elementary School in Coconut Grove on Wednesday.

The students gave Garcia a warm welcome.

“Welcome to our school!” they said in unison.

Garcia walked in the shoes of Ms. Patricia Fairclough to be principal of the day at the historic Miami school.

7News cameras captured Garcia and Fairclough as they smiled and waved at the students. Fairclough clarified that Garcia had taken over for the day.

“She’s the principal,” Fairclough told students.

“I’m in charge of you guys. Is that OK?” said Garcia.

“Yeah,” replied some of the students.

This program has been put on by the Miami-Dade school district every year since 1993 to build strong connections with the community and see how the schools run.

Many students at the school are there for the Magnet program focusing on language, so Garcia and Fairclough popped in to see how the first graders were learning Italian.

Garcia also checked on the students learning how to add in math class, as well as the little ones in pre-K who were doing arts and crafts. Of course, she had to give some high-fives.

Garcia spoke to students in the cafeteria, where she got a few hugs and waves hello. She also spoke to students as they listened to a presentation from the police department during Red Ribbon Week, teaching them to say no to drugs.

Down the hall, Garcia watched a swearing-in ceremony and spoke to the new safety patrol officers of the school.

She learned that being a principal means more than being a leader; it’s walking and growing with them, knowing when some students need an extra hug or an extra push to succeed, and most importantly, inspiring future generations.

According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Breanna Evans was taken into custody on Wednesday, hours after the crash along the northbound lanes of the highway, just south of the Palmetto Expressway. The 26-year-old faces two counts of attempted murder, one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle and one count of shooting from a vehicle.

“She decided to shoot, just shoot on I-95, in the afternoon in South Florida,” the prosecutor said as Evans faced a judge, Thursday.

According to investigators, Evans opened fire on another driver in the northbound lanes of I-95 near Palmetto Park Road and Hillsboro Boulevard. The victim called 911 advising that he had been shot in the head.

“He got shot in the head, so that’s where the gun was pointed,” said the prosecution.

Prosecutors say Evans, who was driving a black SUV, was upset because a man driving in a box truck wasn’t driving fast enough in the fast lane on the highway.

“Her own admission, she cut him off because she doesn’t like people that don’t drive fast enough in the fast lane,” the prosecution said.

They say Evans had plenty of time to consider how to react to a slow driver.

“She had time to think, to reach for the gun, turn the safety off, point and shoot, and shoot the victim in the temple,” said the prosecution.

Authorities say the bullet grazed the driver of the box truck.

The driver has not been identified, but officials said he and Evans remained on the scene.

“Female appears to still be in her vehicle about 100 yards away from us,” said a dispatcher.

Traffic heading northbound was backed up for miles as investigators tried to determine what happened.

Evans’ lawyer told the judge she felt threatened behind the wheel.

“She was in fear, she really felt fear for her life,” said Evans’ attorney.

Prosecutors argued the entire situation was created by her own actions.

“It was her reckless driving that created the dynamic that caused those cars to come together,” said the prosecution.

Evans remains behind bars with no bond.

The man she was accused of shooting at is expected to be OK. A passenger that was also in the vehicle is also expected to be OK.

7Skyforce hovered above Florida Highway Patrol troopers as they investigated the incident on I-95 near Palmetto Park Road, Wednesday afternoon.

“I-95 northbound, just off the Palmetto. I-95, just off the Palmetto,” said a dispatcher.

As officers investigated the scene, officials shut down all northbound lanes, redirecting all traffic to exit at Hillsboro Boulevard.

According to dispatchers, a man called authorities, saying he had been shot and was involved in a crash.

“Caller advised that he was shot in the head and that he was in an accident,” said a dispatcher.

There appeared to be a box truck stopped on the side of the road, with a black SUV stopped further down the road.

The passenger window of the SUV appeared to be shattered, with a piece of glass appearing to be lodged in the door handle. There also appeared to be white paint marks along the right side of the car.

The box truck appeared to have a bullet hole near the driver’s side window.

The investigation caused major traffic headaches as drivers were diverted off the highway during rush hour.

Broward Sheriff’s Office confirmed one man was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. BSO detecrives said they are investigating at the request of FHP.

The circumstances around the incident remain under investigation.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the crash along the northbound lanes in the area of Northwest 138th Street, near the Gratigny Parkway’s entrance to I-75, just west of the Palmetto Expressway, at around 11:30 a.m., Tuesday.

7Skyforce hovered above first responders as they administered CPR to the victim in a grassy area near the roadway.

A rescue helicopter landed in the middle of the roadway and transported the officer to Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition.

At a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones confirmed the officer, 33-year-old David Cajuso, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

“This is a sad and dark day for the men and woman of the Miami Beach Police Department and for all law enforcement in South Florida,” said Jones.

Officials said Cajuso had been with the police force for 10 years. He is survived by his wife and three small children.

“Today, the worst of our nightmares came true, but I think you see we are united, we’re showing support for the family, our police officers, all of law enforcement,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner.

7News cameras captured several law enforcement agencies standing outside the hospital in a show of support. Moments later, it was clear they had gotten the heartbreaking news that their colleague had passed away, as many officers were seen consoling one another.

Around 4 p.m., 7Skyforce hovered over Jackson Memorial Hospital where a procession took place in honor of Cajuso’s life. A Miami Fire Rescue truck transported Cajuso’s body to the medical examiner’s office as officers lined the street around the hospital.

Cajuso’s flag-covered casket was then carried by colleagues as loved ones said goodbye.

“David was a decorated hero. I ask that you keep his young family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this grievance process,” said Jones.

It remains unclear what caused the motorcycle to veer off the roadway and crash.

The Gratigny Parkway was shut down in both directions between Red Road and the Palmetto for hours following the crash, but it has since reopened.

The Florida Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the crash.

A fundraiser has been started to help Cajuso’s family with expenses. If you would like to make a donation, click here.

The Category 5 storm is barreling toward Jamaica after wreaking havoc in Hispaniola. Heavy rain and landslides are sweeping the region, destroying homes, uprooting trees and knocking out power.

The system, which has already claimed at least three lives in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, is expected to make landfall in Jamaica Tuesday afternoon.

Jamaicans are preparing for the worst, as the storm surge is forecast to reach up to 13 feet.

“I worry about, you know, the Caribbean. This might be the worst one,” said a fisherman.

“I just take things easy. I don’t worry myself. As long as I have food, can eat, that’s the most important thing,” said another resident.

Homes across Jamaica are now boarded up. This past weekend, grocery store shoppers scrambled to grab essential items.

“I was hoping to get some bread; the shelves are empty,” said a shopper.

“There’s still a lot of people who, like, got paid late, so they’re rushing now to get items, food items,” said resident Gabrielle Maurice. “Lots of people really don’t have the financial means to get all that they would need.”

Miami resident Nicole Doyon said her girls trip to Jamaica with her friends has turned into a travel nightmare. Now she’s forced to hunker down.

“It’s been a roller coaster of emotions, especially when, like, everybody’s kind of panicking, trying to get on a flight, like every man for himself,” she said.

While Melissa is expected to be the strongest hurricane to impact Jamaica in more than 35 years, hundreds of miles away in South Florida, help is already on the way.

In Miramar, the city is collecting supplies at all its fire and police stations.

Over at the Global Empowerment Mission’s headquarters in Doral, volunteers spent the past several days filling boxes with necessities, including nonperishable food, hygienic items and water.

“The impact will be so difficult, with persons having to be without the necessary essential items, these family necessity kits will at least help them get through a few days,” said lead volunteer Marlon Hill.

At GEM, at least 5,000 relief boxes will go from its headquarters to those most impacted.

“Right now, our team’s gonna be out there, and then we are prepping to see what’s gonna happen after the impact,” said Billy Richardson, GEM’s Director of U.S. Warehousing. “After the impact, we’ll send some more people over, as well as our first plane load, which should be about 50,000 pounds of aid, followed by about six 640-foot containers by sea.”

Richardson said the supplies will be in the sky and on the way by the middle of the week.

“We have hygiene kits, food, water, laundry detergent, and all these things kind of help people when that first initial response is needed right after the storm,” he said.

Kanniga Anderson, who has his family back in Jamaica, said he’s concerned, but any help will go a long way.

“I don’t really feel good, but they got to take what they get, ’cause it’s a natural thing, right?” he said.

Bob Grant, owner of Hot Off The Grill, a Caribbean restaurant in Pembroke Pines, said he has family on the island and expects Jamaica to be hit hard by the storm.

“This is the first time a Category 5 has hit Jamaica, and there’s a lot of rural places where the infrastructure is not that great,” he said. “We are a praying country, and we pray, my family prays, everyone I know is praying for no loss of life and as least damage as possible.”

Grant’s restaurant highlights the beauty of Jamaica, a beauty that he hopes survives the powerful hurricane. He showed 7News several photos he has taken from the island that are hung on his restaurant’s walls.

“I call this the windows to Jamaica. That’s like Ocho Rios,” he said.

Fire and police stations in the City of Miramar are collecting items like tarps, flashlights and water bottles. If you would like to help, click here.

One volunteer, who did not want to be identified, told 7News said she’s helping those impacted because she’s gone through these storms in the past.

“I am from the Caribbean, and I have gone through a hurricane where I lost everything. It’s life-changing, you never forget,” she said.

In Lauderhill, city officials have launched a relief drive to support Caribbean residents in need. Their drop-off locations for essential supplies are as follows:

• Lauderhill City Hall – 5581 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderhill, FL 33313
• Veterans Park – 7600 NW 50th St., Lauderhill, FL 33351
• John Mullins Park – 2000 NW 55th Ave., Lauderhill, FL 33313
• Westwind Park – 4550 NW 82nd Ave., Lauderhill, FL 33351
• Lauderhill Historical Museum – 1080 NW 47th Ave., Lauderhill, FL 33313
• Joy’s Roti Delight – 1205 NW 40th Ave., Lauderhill, FL 33313

For more information on Melissa donations to GEM, click here. For information on community volunteering at GEM, click here.

Here is a list of the items GEM is collecting.

Nonperishable foods:

• Canned protein/vegetable/fruits/beans
• Snacks like dried fruits, protein bars, crackers, chips and beef jerky
• Cereals
• Ramen
• Meals ready to eat
• Cases of water

Temporary household needs:

• Generators
• Chainsaws/rotary rescue saws
• Tarpaulins/tarps
• Wheelbarrows
• Multi-use yard tools
• Cleanup kits/shovels/rakes/large industrial trash bags
• Bug repellent/mosquito repellent
• Work gloves (new)
• Sleeping bags (new)/military cots/cots (new)
• Air mattresses (new)
• Flashlights
• Batteries – AA/AAA/D
• Portable radios
• First aid kits
• LifeStraw water filters
• Solar-powered lightweight portable lanterns/portable emergency lighting/solar-powered devices
• Power banks (solar power)
• Gas cans for generators – all sizes

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.

City of Miami Police and Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the shooting near Southwest Eighth Street and 12th Avenue, just after 1:05 a.m. on Friday.

“Multiple gunshot victims, 910 Southwest 12th Avenue,” said a dispatcher.

Responding officers arrived to find the victims suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside of a home.

Cellphone video captured police officers with guns drawn as they arrived at the neighborhood. One of them is seen shining a flashlight at the residence next to where the shooting happened.

“All units on the perimeter, proceed with caution. We aren’t sure if the subject is actually in the house or still in the area,” said a dispatcher.

Family members identified the victims as 75-year-old Caridad Gonzalez, 53-year-old Manuel Acosta, her son, and 26-year-old Kevin Garcia Marcus, their neighbor.

Paramedics transported the victims to Jackson Memorial Hospital Ryder Trauma Center. Police said Garcia Marcus is listed in serious condition, and the other two patients are in serious but stable condition.

Back at the scene, 7News cameras captured a heavy police presence. Officers cordoned off several streets near the scene of the incident for hours as they combed for clues.

7News cameras later captured three bullet holes at the home where the victims were found: one near a mailbox, one in a door and one between a window and the front door.

Neighbor Karla Perez-Miranda told 7News she and her family heard the gunfire.

“We hear, like, around six shots; six shots go off, and my husband woke up thinking there was a knock on the door, and it wasn’t, and then we hear a lady scream, ‘You killed him’ in Spanish, like three times,” she said. “And then you see like a white car, I guess you could say, go off and leave in a hurry.”

Detectives have not provided further details about what led up to the shooting, but officers working the case were told the shooter has been identified.

Family members confirmed the three victims remain in the hospital but are doing well.

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.

Speaking with 7News off camera, the teen’s parents said the man came in through their daughter’s bedroom window at their home on Northwest 10th Avenue and 48th Street, at around 4 a.m. on Monday.

“This man came into the house all dressed in black, had a ski mask on, so you couldn’t see the facial features,” said Miami Police Officer Michael Vega. “The young girl was sleeping, and we don’t know what his intentions were.”

The teen’s parents said their daughter woke up to see the strange man, and the subject ran out when her father came running over to the bedroom.

Police said the perpetrator left the victim’s home with her valuables.

Neighbors were left shaken by the home invasion.

“Something like that, it’s just – was like a shock to me, because I’ve been around here for 50 years, and that type of stuff doesn’t happen around here,” said an area resident.

“Thank God that nothing happened to this 13-year-old, but just imagine: You wake up, and there’s a stranger inside your house,” said Vega. “It’s scary, it’s alarming, and we’re on the case.

The girl’s mother told 7News that police found her wallet down the block, and she later tracked the phone using Find My iPhone. It wasn’t far away.

When the teen’s mother drove by, she said, she saw a man holding her daughter’s phone with a distinct silver phone case. She called 911 and took a picture.

“Hours later, they located the phone inside a trash bin. A person was detained but was not arrested,” said Vega.

This turn of events is frustrating for the teen’s family, but they have faith detectives will arrest the subject soon.

“This is a case where it’s going to be on latent prints, so we have processed the scene, we’ve processed the phone, we’ve processed the wallet to see if we get any fingerprints and we can match those to the offender,” said Vega.

Police hope this incident serves as another reminder for families to double check all of their windows and doors

“This is a perfect time to check your homes. Make sure that all your windows are locked and that your doors are locked,” said Vega.

An area resident told 7News that she has seen the man in the picture that the teen’s mother took walking in the neighborhood before.

If you have any information on this home invasion 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.

7News cameras captured 36-year-old Jairo Rodriguez as he walked out of Jackson North Medical Center, Wednesday afternoon. He showed a 7News crew the extent of his injuries.

“Literally the tire marks, of his tire marks and shoulder to shoulder, shoulder-to-shoulder pressed,” he said as he pointed at his right leg.

Jairo said a hole in his hip needed 10 stitches.

“[The other driver] squished me between both of our cars, pinned me, and literally, my side hip exploded from the pressure,” he said. “And how am I the aggressor if he’s the one coming after me?”

Hours earlier, just before 9:40 a.m., 7Skyforce hovered along the southbound lanes of the Turnpike near where Interstate 95 merges with the Palmetto Expressway.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, this started as some sort of altercation between the driver of a black pickup truck and the driver of a white van in Fort Lauderdale.

While they were stopped in traffic, investigators said, Jairo, who was behind the wheel of the pickup truck, exited his vehicle and headed toward the van in an aggressive manner.

In an attempt to avoid the confrontation, authorities said, the driver of the van decided to take off, and that’s when he struck Jairo with the van’s side mirror.

“Reference road rage, the subject intentionally struck him with the vehicle per the complainant. FHP advised that they’re en route,” said a dispatcher in radio transmissions.

Jairo’s brother, Joan Rodriguez, later spoke with 7News.

“I got a call from my brother saying that he got hit by a car,” he said.

Miami Gardens Police officers and FHP troopers were seen talking with both drivers involved in the incident.

Even though investigators are calling his sibling the aggressor in this incident, Joan said, there is more to this story.

“They were driving, then my brother stepped out of the car, ’cause the guy – supposedly the was saying that, to step out of the car, and then my brother got out of the car, and the guy came and he hit [my brother],” he said. “He sideswiped [my brother] with the vehicle. You could see right there.”

Paramedics with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported Jairo to Jackson North Medical Center.

Outside the hospital, Jairo shared his account of the incident. He said he was on his way to work when the confrontation started on Commercial Boulevard.

“He cut me off and brake checked me, pumped his breaks, so I went around him and flicked him off, and then I thought that was the end of the confrontation,” he said.

But things weren’t over. After an exchange of gestures with the man in the van, Jairo said, about 20 minutes later, the white van pulled up beside him on the Florida Turnpike near the Golden Glades Interchange and told him to pull over.

“I didn’t know that he was chasing me, either, until he pulled up next to me again, and he was telling me to ‘pull over, pull over.’ So I pulled over, and when I pulled over and got out of the car to see what was going on, he accelerated his car at me,” he said.

When asked why he got out of the car in the first place, Jairo said, “I’m not sure. I was just going to see what we were gonna do. What was the problem? What was happening? Like why is he chasing me?”

He said for a moment he was pinned between his truck and the van and then he was injured.

“He ripped my inside open,” he said.

When asked about FHP’s readout of the incident, Jairo said that’s far from what occurred.

“I didn’t chase him, I didn’t follow him. He followed me, he kept looking for an altercation, and when I got out of the car, he tried to kill me with his vehicle,” he said. “He should be working instead of running someone over with his company car.”

Despite the blame being placed on him by investigators, Jairo said he was not charged or ticketed.

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

Troopers temporarily shut down the southbound lanes while they investigated. They have since reopened to traffic.

As of Wednesday afternoon, FHP officials have not released the identity of the other driver.

Jairo told 7News he plans to take legal action against that driver.

The German shepherd, who is there to protect those at the Northeast Miami-Dade school, stepped out of line and grabbed the little boy’s leg while he walked on the sidewalk with his father near Northeast 107th Street.

Video provided exclusively to 7News shows surveillance and body camera footage of the incident and the aftermath.

“The dog bit him and threw him,” said a security staff member who witnessed the moments that followed the bad bite.

The man, who doesn’t want to be identified, said he’s a firearms training expert and worked for a company hired by Country Day to provide private security for the school.

He detailed what he saw happen to the young child who, he said, is around 5 years old.

“[The dog] pops out and just snatches the kid,” he said. “The K-9 handler [then] grabbed the dog.”

Footage captures the child crying while he sits on the father’s lap.

“The father grabbed the child, cradling the child. The kid is hysterically crying,” said the witness.

The extent of the child’s injuries remains unknown.

The witness then begins talking to first responders who arrive to the area.

“If it’s a medical emergency or something that happens, they gotta call,” he said on body camera footage.

The man said the separate K-9 company was in the wrong.

“[He] stepped away from the dog. The dog is sitting in the corner right there,” he said.

The child was checked out at the scene by responding Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel and taken to the hospital by his father.

Miami Country Day School told 7News they are “…unable to discuss personnel matters…” but did confirm the “…incident occurred during the summer involving a member of our security team and their service dog.”

The school added the employee and dog were “immediately removed from our campus security team.”

While the witness who spoke to 7News doesn’t work at the school anymore, he had some advice to keep everyone safe.

“You just need to make sure that the school is vetting their personnel, security a lot more. You don’t leave a dog off the leash, especially a working dog,” he said. “These aren’t play dogs, they’re 105, 110 pounds German shepherds, especially in an area where there are children around.”

It remains unknown whether or not the child attends the school.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, officers were first notified about the 8-foot reptile near mile marker 101 in Monroe County, at around 11:45 a.m. on Saturday.

Responding officers found the animal with a spear, likely from a speargun, embedded in the back of its head, going all the way to the bottom of its jaw.

FWC officers and wildlife professionals from Zoo Miami initially tried to capture the female crocodile for medical care but were unsuccessful.

“She was remarkably still swimming and moving, evading people for three days with a spear sticking out of the back of her head,” said Zoo Miami Assistant Director Phil Hillary.

On Monday, officials confirmed the animal was safely captured and transported for treatment.

Dr. Gwen Myers, Zoo Miami’s Chief of Animal Health, showed the top of the spear to a 7News crew.

“Last night, when she was finally rescued, the rescue team cut the top of it off so that it wouldn’t impinge on any further movement,” she said. “So quite a bit of this was in her; in fact, this is a 10-inch tip that we removed and only [a small portion] was sticking out of the top.”

On Tuesday, the staff at Zoo Miami confirmed they have removed the rest of the spear, adding it missed a lot of vital organs. They believe this injury happened within the last week or so.

“Luckily, when I was exploring the wound, only one side of the flanch had deployed, and so, I was able to manipulate that and pull it out without causing further damage to the tissues there,” said Myers.

Veterinarians said they also found a bullet lodged inside the crocodile’s head. They’re not sure whether or not it came from the same incident.

The Zoo Miami staff said the crocodile is alert and recovering. They aim to release the reptile back into the wild in the coming days.

“Things are looking good for her. Hopefully, if we can get some veterinary care for her and some rehab and then get her back out into the wild,” said Hillary.

American crocodiles are a federally threatened species protected under state and federal law. It is illegal to kill or harass them.

FWC investigators are seeking information about the incident. Anyone with photos, videos or tips is asked to contact the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. Reports can be made anonymously, and tips leading to an arrest or citation may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

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.

These batteries can be found in almost everything from our phones, to the light we’re using, to the battery in our cameras, and that is what officials say is part of the danger.

In recent months, a dog was killed after a scooter sparked a fire in Florida City, a yacht caught fire because of a small battery bank in Miami, and a small business went up in flames because of a bike that was charging in West Miami-Dade; all of those fires are believed to be caused by the same thing: lithium-ion batteries.

Robert Suarez, a deputy fire marshal with the City of Miami said what’s making the batteries so desirable is also what makes them so dangerous.

“They pack more power into a very tight space more than any other battery technology that’s readily available,” said Suarez.

For this year’s Fire Prevention Month, the fire department wants to educate the public on these hazards.

From charging golf carts and scooters to kids toys, the batteries start a chemical chain reaction, which typically result in loud popping noises before bursting into flames.

“I heard a big explosion boom boom,” said a man who saw the small business go up in flames.

The two main tips to prevent this are to buy only safety-certified batteries and to charge them properly.

“There are an enormous amount of retailers and resellers that are selling either counterfeit or very, very poor quality batteries that are much, much higher risk of thermal runaway,” said Suarez. “Once a lithium-ion battery is fully charged, it should be removed from the charger. It’s not good for the battery and it can increase the chances of a damaged battery going into thermal runaway and igniting if it’s left unnecessarily long in a charger.”

On top of that, you want to be careful where you store and charge them.

For example, phones shouldn’t be on the bed with you. They should be on a flat surface instead.

Suarez said their quick reactiveness in particular is what makes these fires especially dangerous.

“They’re almost always an explanation for why that battery caused the fire and it was, in almost all cases, it’s preventable,” said Suarez.

Suarez suggests anybody who has a damaged or unused lithium-ion battery taken it out of their home. The batteries can be safely disposed at any electronic store or home improvement retailer, like Home Depot.

You can go here for more tips on fire prevention.