Rescue crews have taken a woman and an 11-year-old child to the hospital after, police said, they came under fire in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale Police and Fire Rescue responded to the scene in the area of Northwest First Street and First Avenue, across from the Broward County Metro Transit Center, just after 6:40 p.m., Saturday.
“We received reports of a shooting,” said Fort Lauderdale Police Assistant Chief Frank Sousa.
Responding officers found the victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
“Officers responded to the scene and immediately encountered two gunshot victims, one of them being an 11-year-old child and an adult female,” said Sousa.
Paramedics transported the 27-year-old woman and the child to Broward Health Medical Center in unknown conditions.
Investigators said some sort of altercation broke out.
A witness who asked not to be identified or show his face on camera said things escalated quickly.
“The guy ran to his car, pulled out a gun and started shooting,” he said.
Police believe the victims were innocent bystanders. They were treated at the scene, then rushed to the hospital.
“She was shot bad in the leg, and she was just crying, crying, crying, leaned over there crying,” said the witness, “and the kid got shot up in here, up in here real bad.”
Hours later, 7News cameras captured an active scene and several bullets scattered on the ground next to evidence markers.
“Investigators are on scene combing surveillance cameras and speaking to witnesses in hopes that someone will be able to provide us with a better picture of what actually occurred here this evening,” said Sousa.
Police cleared the scene at around 11 p.m. They have not provided any details about a possible gunman, as they continue to investigate.
If you have any information on this shooting, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
Hours later…
Police have arrested the man they say supplied the weapon used in a Fort Lauderdale shooting, which wounded a woman and child Saturday night.
According to Fort Lauderdale Police, 60-year-old Stanley Johnson retrieved a gun from a vehicle during an altercation between two males near Northwest 1st Street and 1st Avenue. Authorities say Johnson handed one of the men the gun, who then proceeded to fire the weapon, striking a woman and an 11-year-old boy.
The two victims were across the street at the Broward County Metro Transit Center. Police say they are currently at Broward Health Medical Center in stable condition.
During an investigation of the shooting, officers said a witness identified Johnson as the person who provided the weapon. They say Johnson later admitted to his involvement in the shooting.
Johnson faces two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The identity of the shooter is still under investigation.
Any person who may have witnessed the shooting, or has information on the incident, is asked to contact Detective Kirtman at 954-828-6070, or Detective Knapp at 954-828-4787.
⚠️🚨 Se presentó un tiroteo en el centro de #FortLauderdale, dejando a un adulto y un niño de ocho años heridos.#BugleMiami #Miami #MiamiBeach #MiamiDade #Shooting #Crime #Local #LocalNews pic.twitter.com/EX0vRMBJc4
— BugleMiami (@BugleMiami) August 9, 2020
La policía ya encontró al responsable del tiroteo y lo puso bajo arresto.
— BugleMiami (@BugleMiami) August 9, 2020
Se trata del hombre de 60 años Stanley Johnson. https://t.co/C5juhC1ALt