8 injured in shooting at MLK day celebration

At least eight people, including several children, were injured Monday after a shooting in a Florida park named for Martin Luther King, Jr., on the federal holiday celebrating his birthday and legacy.

Revelers were celebrating the holiday at the park when shots rang out just before 4 p.m., sending people running. Police in Miami-Dade County say the victims range in age from 11 to 30 years old. A 20-year-old man was in critical condition, and two other adults were in stable condition. Three juveniles were also hospitalized, and two juveniles – an 11-year-old and a 13-year-old – suffered graze wounds and were treated at the scene, according to WTVJ.

“It’s terrible. I mean, this is supposed to be Martin Luther King Day,” witness Tammy Meeks told WSVN. “This should be one of the one days out of the year where whether you’re white, black, Hispanic – no matter what you are, we come together and just have fun and care for one another. And it’s senseless that we can’t just do that on one day of the year.”

Police say two guns were recovered, and they were questioning two people in connection with the shooting.

Also on Monday, a “Wheels Up, Guns Down” ride was happening in the Miami area, about 20 miles north of the shooting. The third annual event promotes peace in the community, but several people were arrested and nearly 40 vehicles were towed.

Read More On:

Latest Reviews

revolver barrel loading graphic

Loading