MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A shooting left a toddler wounded Thursday night in Miami-Dade County's Ives Estates neighborhood, according to the Miami-Dade Police Department.
Miami-Dade police officers were called to what was initially reported as a drive-by shooting at a home in the area of Northeast 14th Avenue and 202nd Street, blocks away from the Madie Ives K-8 Center and the Little Dolphin Day Care Center.
"This senseless gun violence is not acceptable," Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez wrote on Twitter. "All hands-on-deck as we try to solve this heinous crime."
Tonight, @MiamiDadePD is handling the shooting of a 2 year old toddler. This senseless gun violence is not acceptable. All hands-on-deck as we try to solve this heinous crime. If you have information, please call #MDPD or @CrimeStopper305
— Juan Perez (@JPerezMDPD) February 1, 2019
Detective Christopher Thomas said evidence showed the initial report of a drive-by shooting was wrong and that the shooting happened inside the home. Thomas said a neighbor saw a wounded boy and called police.
Thomas also said the toddler was in stable condition, after the father rushed the child to nearby Aventura Hospital.
The toddler was later transferred to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in stable condition.
Thomas said detectives were speaking with the father, who was being cooperative.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho also reacted on Twitter, saying the news was enraging and infuriating.
"My heartfelt prayers go out to this child and family," Carvalho wrote.
There is not a conscientious resident of this community who should not be outraged by this violence inflicted on a toddler. Heartbreaking and enraging. My heartfelt prayers for this child and family.https://t.co/ZjsUUNk5LN
— Alberto M. Carvalho (@MiamiSup) February 1, 2019
Police asked anyone with information about the shooting to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.