Two Shootings, One Fatal, Reported on Christmas Day in Fort Lauderdale
FORT LAUDERDALE — Fort Lauderdale police are investigating two separate shootings that occurred on Christmas Day, one of which resulted in a fatality. Both incidents took place within two hours and less than a mile apart, but authorities have stated there is no evidence to suggest the incidents are connected.
At approximately 11:16 AM, Fort Lauderdale Police responded to a shooting in the 1000 block of Northwest Ninth Avenue, in a shopping center that includes Presidente Supermarket. Upon arrival, officers found one victim, a man who was subsequently transported to Broward Health Medical Center by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue. Unfortunately, the victim was later pronounced dead.
The shopping center, which was one of the few businesses open on Christmas Day, was the scene of an escalating confrontation. Witnesses reported that the shooting followed a verbal dispute that began in a nearby liquor store. According to those at the scene, the argument intensified and eventually spilled outside, where the altercation turned violent.
One nearby witness, Paul Donnelly, told CBS News Miami that he was sitting in a business when a bullet “just went through the window,” though he fortunately was not injured. Local resident Theodore Kelly expressed his shock, commenting, “I don’t think Christmas or any other day things like that should happen… It’s just worse on Christmas Day.”
Less than two hours later, at 12:50 PM, police were called to the 700 block of Northwest Eighth Street and Northwest 10th Terrace in reference to another shooting. A victim was located and transported to the hospital by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue with non-life-threatening injuries.
Both investigations are ongoing, and authorities are asking anyone with information about either incident to contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department at 954-764-4357.
