Detectives search for gunman in teen's shooting in North Miami Beach

Teenage girl remains hospitalized after critically wounded

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A 15-year-old girl was critically wounded in an overnight shooting in North Miami Beach.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho took to Twitter early Friday to announce the shooting. Carvalho demanded that the so-called "code of silence" be broken, using the hash tag "enough."

North Miami Beach police confirmed on Twitter that a person had been shot near Northeast 155th Terrace and Northeast 14th Avenue.

Police said the victim, identified by her mother as Milinda Michel Pierre, was taken to a local hospital.

Gina Pierre told Local 10 News that her daughter was outside their home when she was shot. She said the bullet went through Milinda's torso and came out through her back.

Pierre said had just checked on her daughter, who was sleeping, shortly before the shooting. Pierre said said she went to sleep and shortly after was awakened by her daughter screaming.

"By 11 o'clock, I just hear, 'Mommy! Mommy! I got shot!' That's it," she said.

Pierre said her daughter attends North Miami Beach High School, where she is a member of the JROTC program and plays volleyball.

"She's a sweetheart. Never had problem with her, and she's an A student," Pierre said.

Pierre said Milinda is in critical condition, but she is expected to survive.

"They said she is going to be fine, but maybe paralyzed. I hope not," she said.

About an hour and a half before the teen was wounded, police said a man was injured in a shooting and crash on 19th Avenue and Northeast 171st Street.

Police said they do not believe the shootings were related. 


About the Authors:

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."