HIALEAH, Fla. (AP) — Two people died and an estimated 20 to 25 people were injured in a shooting outside a banquet hall in South Florida, police said.
The gunfire erupted early Sunday at the El Mula Banquet Hall in northwest Miami-Dade County, police told news outlets.
The banquet hall had been rented out for a concert. Three people got out of an SUV and opened fire into a crowd outside with assault rifles and handguns, police director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez III said. Authorities believe the shooting was targeted.
“These are cold blooded murderers that shot indiscriminately into a crowd and we will seek justice,” Ramirez said in a tweet.
Two people died at the scene, police said. As many as 25 people went to various hospitals for treatment.
No arrests were immediately announced.
“This is a despicable act of gun violence, a cowardly act,” Ramirez told the Miami Herald.
“This type of gun violence has to stop. Every weekend it’s the same thing,” Ramirez said during an early morning news conference.
Gov. Ron DeSantis commented on the shooting on Twitter.
“We mourn the loss of the two victims and are praying for the recovery of the more than 20 people injured at El Mula Banquet Hall near Hialeah. We are working with local authorities to bring justice to the perpetrators. Justice needs to be swift & severe!” DeSantis tweeted.
Businessman and TV personality Marcus Lemonis, star of “The Profit,” took to Twitter to offer a $100,000 reward to help authorities capture the suspects.
I am at the scene of another targeted and cowardly act of gun violence, where over 20 victims were shot and 2 have sadly died. These are cold blooded murderers that shot indiscriminately into a crowd and we will seek justice. My deepest condolences to the family of the victims.
— Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez III (@MDPD_Director) May 30, 2021
People who were out and about said it sounded like a warzone after more than 60 shots rang out and hit at least 20-25 people, who are now in the hospital as the police search for the shooter.
#BREAKING — 20-25 people shot, 2 confirmed dead in NW Miami Dade. This happening at El Mula Banquet Hall in the Country Club Shopping Center. pic.twitter.com/979UhADfsR
— Parker Branton (@ParkerBranton) May 30, 2021
Gun violence ushered in the Memorial Day weekend in South Florida when dozens of shots were fired outside another gathering in Miami’s Wynwood area. The shooting late Friday killed one person and injured six others.
Witnesses described the shooting as a drive-by. The shooter was long gone by the time officers arrived.
Police received an alert by a ShotSpotter in the area, and when they arrived to the scene they found several people shot.
A total of six people were hit by gunfire, and their conditions are unknown at this time.
There is no description of the shooter as of yet.
If you have any information on this crime, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.