MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Federal agents responded to a crime scene with law enforcement dogs Friday where the filming of a music video with rapper French Montana turned into tragedy on Thursday in Miami Gardens.
The agents with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives scanned an area behind The Licking restaurant, and near the intersection of Northwest 177 Street and 27 Avenue.
“We, unfortunately, were at the wrong place, at the wrong time,” Montana tweeted in a statement adding that he was celebrating the release of his sixth installment of the “Coke Boys” with friends.
Local rapper Ced Mogul said New Orleans rapper Rob49 was among the group injured. He said a conflict over a Rolex and cell phone robbery caused terrifying mayhem at about 8 p.m. He said there were about 100 gathered when an assault rifle was fired 10 to 15 times and then there were people crying.
“People were running by with blood on their shirts,” Mogul said.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel counted 10 injured. Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center was treating four of the 10 victims on Friday. Their condition was critical.
Wilmark Baez said the production staff had rented his lowrider for the video. He said a moment of fun turned into a nightmare when his one-year-old English bulldog Chola got lost and he rushed to protect children as young as six.
“I was just out here with my godkids, so they could meet French Montana,” Baez said.
Mogul said Montana’s security “blocked” a lot of the gunshots when he was wounded. Montana, who was born in Morocco and lived in New York, did not mention him in his statement.
“Our thoughts & prayers are w/ the victims & families at this time,” Montana wrote on Twitter.
Miami Gardens Chief D. Noel-Pratt reported late Friday night that organizers did not obtain city permits, so there wasn’t an “appropriate law enforcement detail.”
Montana was supposed to attend a meet and greet at the DTLR clothing store on Friday in Hialeah, but the event was canceled after the shooting.
Montana and DJ Drama had announced on Tuesday that the “Coke Boys 6: The Money Heist Edition” was going to be released on Friday after delaying the release. The “Gansta Grillz” collaboration also featured music by rapper Kodak Black, of Pompano Beach.
The Licking said in a statement: “Our hearts are heavy and go out to the victims of this senseless act. We were not aware of a video being filmed and found out last min French Montana was shooting a scene in the back parking lot. We have no idea what actually took place. The Licking restaurant has nothing to do with the incident and has given police the necessary footage requested.”
Local 10 News Reporters Terrell Forney and Annaliese Garcia contributed to this report.
Related social media
Last night, I was in Miami celebrating the release of my CB6 mixtape w/ friends at a local restaurant. We unfortunately were at the wrong place, at the wrong time when an incident took place that left people hurt. Our thoughts & prayers are w/ the victims & families at this time
— French Montana (@FrencHMonTanA) January 6, 2023