8 injured in shooting at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park

3 adults, 3 teens shot; 2 other girls grazed by bullets

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. ā€“ Eight people, including five children, were wounded Monday in a shooting at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in northwest Miami-Dade County, police said.

The shooting took place about 3:40 p.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, during a celebration honoring the civil rights activist's life.

Miami-Dade police said Shawnteri Wilson, 18; Jerome Battle, 20; and Michael Clarke, 30, were shot.

Three teenagers -- Lajada Benson, 14;Ā Nakya-Senat Butler, 15; and AlfaneshaĀ Times, 17 -- were also shot.

Two other girls, Keionna Green, 13, and Ciara Johnson, 11, were grazed by bullets. They were treated at the scene and released to their parents.

Police said two people have been detained and are being questioned about the shooting.

Local 10 News investigative reporter Jeff WeinsierĀ said there had been a large celebration at the park when shots were fired.

A man who was selling items at the park said everyone scattered after hearing the gunshots.

"I think it's terrible," Dathan Dupree said. "I think it makes no sense, on this day, that we're celebrating a man who was all about nonviolence, that this kind of violence (occurs)."

Police said two guns were recovered.

Several victims were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center. Police said that Battle was listed in critical condition, while the other victims were in stable condition.

A motive for the shooting was not immediately known.


About the Authors:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.

Andrew Perez is a South Florida native who joined the Local 10 News team in May 2014.