Man fatally shot while mowing yard in Miami Gardens

Neighbors say Curtis Smith, 61, targeted for jewelry

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – A man was killed in a shooting outside a home in Miami Gardens on Tuesday, police said.

The shooting was reported about 12:30 p.m. at 17630 NW 14th Ave.

Neighbors said Curtis Smith, 61, was mowing his front lawn when he was ambushed by two men for his jewelry.

They said the Smith ran back to his driveway but didn't make it inside his home.

Smith worked as a respiratory therapist at Jackson Memorial Hospital, and Tuesday was his day off.

A neighbor captured the attack on surveillance video, which detectives are reviewing.

Police are still searching for the armed robbers.

"The Jackson family is mourning the loss of Curtis Smith, a respiratory therapist who worked for the health system for nearly 29 years," hospital spokeswoman Jennifer Piedra said in a statement. "Curtis was respected by his colleagues and well-liked by the patients he cared for. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Curtis' family and friends."

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call police.

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About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

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