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Body of man who had been shot multiple times found on Miami Gardens canal bank

Man's body found near canal in Miami Gardens neighborhood
Man's body found near canal in Miami Gardens neighborhood 01:23

MIAMI - A disturbing discovery in a Miami Gardens neighborhood Friday morning led to a police investigation.

"It was kind of crazy, I had to get closer because I thought it has to be a manikin someone left there," said a neighbor who identified herself as Margarita. She was putting her garbage out when she looked to the right and saw what looked like a body in a canal. 

Miami Gardens police say it was the body of a man who was shot to death.

"I called 911… I was shocked… I started praying," said Margarita. 

The man's body was found on a canal bank at 39th Avenue and NW 207th Drive just after 8 a.m. Police said the man's hands were tied behind his back, his face was covered with a plastic bag, and he had been shot multiple times.

"His arms were behind his back, he didn't have any pants on," said Angie Ardavin, who has lived in the area for over 15 years.

The canal is in a residential neighborhood and borders an open field.

"You don't want anything like this happening in your neighborhood," said Brenda Gabriel, who told us she has lived in the neighborhood for 46 years.  

Gabriel did not hear any gunshots Thursday night.  Friday morning Miami Gardens officers covered the body with a yellow tarp without saying much about the gory discovery.  Later a police public information officer did confirm the man had been shot to death and his hands were bound to his back. 

Police say the motive of the murder is still unknown. 

Margarita who has lived in the neighborhood for almost 20 years, says she no longer feels the same. 

"Very bad… very bad, very scared that this happened close to our houses, we need more police presence at night," said Margarita. 

Police have not revealed the identity of the victim and the case is under investigation, with no information about a possible suspect.  

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