MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A 10-year-old girl celebrating New Year’s Day with her family in northwest Miami-Dade was killed by a stray bullet, police confirmed.
Authorities said Yaneliz Munguia, who had recently celebrated her 10th birthday after Christmas, was outside with her family on Northwest 21st Terrace near 27th Avenue around 1:30 a.m., lighting legal fireworks, when her parents noticed her collapse.
6 p.m. report:
Upon inspecting her, Miami-Dade police said they found a gunshot wound to her head.
According to detectives, Yaneliz’s parents quickly put her in their car and began driving, trying to find the nearest hospital. While on the way, they called 911 and ended up near Palm Avenue and West Third Street in Hialeah.
Hialeah Fire Rescue responded at that location and transported Yaneliz to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where she later died, authorities confirmed.
Family members have been distraught, consoling each other amid the tragedy.
“I can’t walk in this house anymore and not see her,” said Ramon Valdizol, Yaneliz’s grandfather. “Right now my daughter feels devastated. She can’t hold herself, she felt guilty about what happened to her daughter.”
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the victim was struck by a stray bullet fired into the air from an unknown location by an unknown subject,” Miami-Dade police wrote in a news release.
“We say time and time again, every New Year’s, that what goes up must come down. This is a prime example of the dangers of shooting a firearm into the air,” said MDPD Detective Andre Martin.
Yaneliz’s parents returned to the scene Thursday morning for the first time since the tragedy.
Her father held a handmade Father’s Day card, reflecting on memories of his little girl — whom they must now lay to rest just days after celebrating her birthday.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
Family members have created a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses, which can be found by clicking here.
Related media
It is with deep sorrow that we share the tragic loss of a 10-year-old girl, who was killed due to celebratory gunfire on New Years Day near NW 27 Avenue and NW 21 Street in Miami.
— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) January 1, 2025
This heartbreaking incident serves as a devastating reminder that what goes up must come down.… pic.twitter.com/iW6WNOCnIA
