NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Police said a teenage boy who was shot and left to die in a North Miami Beach alley Sunday was 16 years old and just days away from celebrating his birthday.
Detectives said they haven't released his identity because they believe it may jeopardize the investigation.
Orange spray paint and blood stains near Northeast 176th Street and 16th Avenue marked the spot where the victim was shot.
Witnesses said they heard about six gunshots and saw two boys running from the scene.
Romel Alvarez said the shooting happened near his home, which has motion sensing cameras. He said the cameras were just out of range to record the shooting.
"I just saw a guy running back and forward," said Alvarez.
"Did he have a gun in his hand?" asked Local 10 News reporter Terrell Forney.
"No. Just a cellphone," said Alvarez.
Detectives said they interviewed someone who was with the victim at the time of the shooting, but haven't released any details about what that person told them.
A woman who wished to remain anonymous told Local 10 News that she saw two boys running away shortly after the shooting.
"I saw two young boys running down the alley and I said to them, 'Stop! What's going on here?'" she said. "It's scary because we have kids and it's a problem."
No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
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