Levine Cava pledges to fight violence after Miami-Dade shooting (includes video story)

Police have released surveillance video of the mass shooting in Northwest Miami-Dade over Memorial Day weekend. In the footage, three gunmen are seen exiting a white Nissan Pathfinder, which detectives confirmed was stolen on May 15. The armed men then fired several rounds of shots at La Mula banquet hall–leaving 2 people dead and 21 injured. 

“So, they came out with their automatic weapons, and they sprayed their gunfire, so we are so fortunate– horrible to say– that we have not lost more lives, because this was deadly. It was targeted but yet it was indiscriminate across this crowd,” said Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. 

Angelica Green, one of the shooting victim’s mothers, spoke out as her son and nephew were shot during the concert. Green describes her family’s wounds as “pretty massive.”

“It’s my only son. My only child. He is educated. He was going out with his educated cousin to just celebrate the weekend, and they had not made it into the club as of yet. They said some guys, three guys that they noticed with hoodies, they just started shooting up the area for whatever reason, we don’t know,” said Green.

Footage was released during a press conference of the father of one of the people killed. He was visibly distraught Monday as police spoke to the media about the crime.

“That is the pain that affects our community, right there, right before you,” said a police spokesman.  That’s why together, all of us, we must work harder to bring justice to these families who are crying as you hear right now.” 

Levine Cava also spoke out on MDPD’S Facebook page regarding gun violence, as now that more than 30 people have been shot in a matter of three days in the county. 

“We must break the cycle of violence,” she said. “There is a cycle. gun violence is an epidemic, and the pandemic has intensified it. we must invest in public safety. and we must invest in our communities.” 

The stolen SUV was found in a canal several miles from the shooting, Levine Cava says tips are coming in and authorities are hoping to find the three gunmen soon. As the case is moving along, investigators are asking anyone that has more information to contact Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

Zitlali Solache is a student in Florida International University, pursuing her Masters degree in Spanish-Language Broadcast Journalism. Zitlali Solache is Mexican American and has a passion for storytelling and news. She has interned for WPBT PBS, WSVN Channel 7 and STEP Univision. After graduation, Zitlali aspires to become a reporter/anchor in her hometown Miami, FL.