Toddler airlifted to the hospital after Florida City shooting
MIAMI – A toddler was injured in a drive-by shooting early Monday morning in Florida City.
Surveillance tape obtained by CBS4 shows some terrifying moments during that drive-by. A camera recorded 10 seconds of gunfire.
Two-year-old Makai Louissaint was shot in the leg. His mother said she expected that her son would have surgery on Monday afternoon and be hospitalized at least one night.
He was airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where his mother Medjine Raymond told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that "he is doing fine. He is OK. He was at his grandmother's house, and somebody came by shooting and he got hit in the right leg. He feels fine. He is on medication. I was staying in Broward and I got the call and spoke to his aunt and I am like Makai got shot. I was in so many tears and I started screaming and told my mom that Makai has been shot. I am angry inside, but honestly, I accept this because it happened for reason. I am not going to question God about it."
Raymond continued, "I just never expected this to happen to my kid or myself or somebody close to me. I thank God it was just his leg and I thank God he will be able to walk again. I really appreciate the hospital and the job they are doing for me my son. They really helped me. Now I just want to talk to detectives to get more information."
The toddler's aunt told CBS4 the family was hanging out on their front porch when they began hearing gunshots.
"It just happened so fast, my life was in danger," said Teri Louissaint.
She said initially they didn't realize the boy had been shot because he wasn't crying.
"I'm checking and checking because I see blood between my legs, and I'm like 'it's not me,' and then we looked over there and it was him," said Louissaint.
The incident happened shortly after 1 a.m. near SW 10 Avenue and 6 Place.
Reached by phone, Makai's grandmother said, "I'm not doing good. I just want y'all to catch the person who did it."
Several residents along SW 6 Place were impacted by the barrage of bullets. More than six vehicles were damaged by gunfire. One vehicle, that neighbors said belonged to a pastor, was hit more than 12 times.
"It was so loud, I jumped out of bed and ran to my room, my mom ran to her room," said Kathleen Luna, who lives several homes down from the toddler's family.
"Right now, what we're really trying to figure out is what's the next step? Who is going to pay for our car damages? What are we going to do, who's going to pay for this, and what is the city going to do because this is not acceptable," said Luna, whose vehicle was hit at least four times during the drive-by.
Neighbors said this wasn't the first time a shooting occurred near their homes and they want something done before things escalate.
"I just want to be able to sit down outside of my house. I should be able to be on my porch and relax," said Luna.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Florida City Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers AT (305) 471-TIPS (8477). There is a reward of up to $1,000 and callers will remain anonymous.
CBS4 reached out to Florida City Police for more information about this case, but so far we have not heard back.
