Grandmother calls shooting death of 5-year-old Florida City girl "carelessness" as detectives investigate

A 5-year-old girl died after being shot inside a Florida City home early Wednesday morning, and Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office homicide detectives are working to determine exactly how the shooting happened.

According to a MDSO spokesperson Angel Rodriguez, Florida City police officers responded around 1:55 a.m. to a reported shooting at a residence in the 1400 block of Northwest 1st Court. When officers arrived, they found the child suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso.

A Florida City police officer transported the girl and her mother to Homestead Hospital. The child was later airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where she died despite life-saving efforts, Rodriguez said.

Grandmother remembers child as "intelligent, savvy and bubbly"

Family members identified the victim as 5-year-old Ja'nova Parks. Her grandmother, Latisha Ellison, described her as "intelligent, savvy and bubbly" and said she was devastated when she learned of the shooting.

"My grandbaby, she was only five years old. She's only five," Ellison said.

"It makes me angry because nothing like this should be able to happen, especially in your home," the grandmother said. "Nothing like this should be able to happen. Carelessness, carelessness."

Ellison said she was receiving treatment at a hospital when she learned of the shooting and rushed to the scene still wearing a hospital gown.

"My granddaughter was smart. She was sassy and she'll tell you how she feels. It doesn't matter how you feel about it. At five, we always knew she was so smart for her age," Ellison said.

Ellison also said that she does not think the child shot herself.

"My grandkids know that a gun is dangerous," she said. "Never in a million years would I think that she would pick up a gun, nor her brother. They knew that they were dangerous. They would tell you that you are not supposed to do that. My grandkids knew to never pull out a gun."

"It has always been my worst fear that something would happen to my grandkids," she said.

Investigators said five people were inside the home at the time of the shooting: Ja'nova Parks, her 4-year-old brother, her mother and two adult men.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Homicide Bureau has taken over the investigation.

Detectives confirmed a firearm was present inside the residence and said they are focused on determining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Authorities said it remains unclear how the child was shot. Authorities have not said whether the shooting was accidental or intentional, and no arrests have been announced.

Police said no one is in custody and detectives are interviewing everyone who was inside the home at the time of the shooting.

"They're going to make sure that no stone is left unturned, and right now we're asking for prayers for the community. Please keep in mind there is a family that has lost their child," Rodriguez said.

Detectives are expected to remain at the scene for an extended period as they continue processing evidence and interviewing those involved.

Det. Rodriguez said it was not clear how this happened.

"This is going to take some time," he said. "I would ask for patience from the community. We have one chance to get it right."

He also said, "Being a gun owner entails responsibility, especially when you have children. There is a special message to everyone in the community, and especially to gun owners who have children. Please make sure to keep your firearms safe and stowed away, and make double sure, triple sure that children can't get their hands on firearms."

The cause of the shooting remains under investigation.