GLADEVIEW, Fla. — Detectives accused Eliga McGowan of recently taking justice into his own hands in Miami-Dade County’s Gladeview area, according to a deputy’s report.
After learning that someone he knew was sexually assaulted, McGowan, 26, was involved in a drive-by shooting, according to a deputy’s report.
“While driving ... [McGowan] slowed his vehicle down, pulled out a firearm, told her to sit back, and fired from the driver’s seat out,” a witness said, according to Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies.
The deputies reported finding a 16-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the chest shortly after 3:20 a.m. on Jan. 19 at 7590 NW 16 Ave., records show.
Fire rescue personnel reported his condition was critical when they took him to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, according to deputies.
Surveillance videos showed McGowan’s Chevrolet about four minutes before the shooting at Northwest 77 Street and 17 Avenue, according to detectives.
Two of the victims who were with the teen told detectives that they were walking home from a store when they heard gunshots and started running, according to a detective’s report.
McGowan, who has a suspended license, was driving the Chevrolet registered under him with two broken taillights shortly before 4:20 p.m. on Jan. 22, according to deputies.
Miami-Dade corrections booked McGowan shortly after 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 23, and he was at the Metrowest Detention Center, according to inmate records.
On Jan. 23, prosecutors filed a case against McGowan on 28 charges: Unlawful possession of five or more identification documents, and 27 counts of illegal possession of a stolen credit or debit card.
McGowan appeared in bond court on Monday morning for the case related to the drive-by shooting, and he faced three counts of attempted murder.
During a bond court hearing on Tuesday, a judge ordered him to stay away from the three victims and denied him bond on the three attempted murder charges.
Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Laura Gonzalez-Marques was set to preside over the cases.
Local 10 News Assignment Editor Carson Merlo contributed to this report.
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