MiamiHerald.com | 11/24/2006 | No quick healing for victims of birthday party shooting:
Posted on Fri, Nov. 24, 2006 CRIME
No quick healing for victims of birthday party shootingThe family wounded in a shooting at a birthday party last month still grapples with physical and emotional wounds.
BY DAVID OVALLE
dovalle@MiamiHerald.com
The suspects
CRIME
No quick healing for victims of birthday party shootingThe family wounded in a shooting at a birthday party last month still grapples with physical and emotional wounds.
BY DAVID OVALLE
dovalle@MiamiHerald.com
The suspects
The suspected killers are jailed. The healing has just begun.
That October afternoon, the man who shot Ann Maynard, 31, at point-blank range before a child's birthday party left her with a mangled jaw and a broken arm.
Her sister, Shentara Maynard, 25, still needs surgery to remove a bullet lodged near her spine.
As for Shentara's two little ones, they still haven't grasped the severity of their own wounds.
Here at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Shanterria Kearse, 7, eases her embarrassment by unstrapping her helmet. She wears it to protect the portion of her missing skull.
And Tony Chester, 4, wears thick bandages wrapped around his head, his gait a bit woozy.
''Wiggle, wiggle! Chicken noodle! Chicken noodle!'' He dances a jig for his family.
For now, his spirit is undrained even though his right eye is gone forever.
All four victims still have bullets embedded in their bodies. The physical healing is slow; recovering from the emotional wounds is even slower.
To be sure, there is joy. Tony, his family figures, should have died. The would-be killer fired through the top of his head. The bullet lodged in his eye socket.
''That's modern medicine -- and prayers,'' said his grandmother, Annette Maynard.
And raw guilt: Their cousin, Carla Queely, and her son, Chaquone, 7, didn't survive the bullets.
In a year stained by the callous shootings of young people, names like Zykarious Cadillon, Sherdavia Jenkins and Otissha Burnett have been immortalized by the media, politicians and community leaders.
Yet, these were singular victims. Easy to rally around in marches and protests. Young victims caught in the crossfire of other people's guns.
STUNNED SILENCE
But the Birthday Party Shooting, as many call it, elicited no vigils or public outcry.
Were the facts of the case too jumbled at first? The public too jaded?
Or perhaps the crime was just too ruthless to grasp:
Five gunmen staged a home-invasion robbery, searching for a safe that did not exist. For the family, the surreal images flash back in spurts: Ann hearing a knock on the door, not seeing anyone in the video surveillance monitor; the gunmen bursting in, armed with flex cuffs stuffed in a belt under their shirts; Chaquone suffering from a cold that day.
'My chil' is sick, my chil' is sick,'' Carla sobbed in her thick island accent as the men kept them hostage. ``I just want to have a party. I just want to have a party.''
''If you cry, I'll kill you. I have no problem killing you,'' Ann remembers one of the gunman snarling.
Queely, Chaquone and Ann had been hostage for some 10 minutes when Shentara, Tony and Shanterria entered the home at 20517 NE Ninth Pl., in North Miami-Dade.
Ann, who police say was held at the door by gunman Jose Estache, pushed him away, yelling for them to run. Estache then shot Ann, Shentara and her two children in the head with a .22 caliber pistol.
Police say Sean N. Condell shot Carla and Chaquone; they did not survive. Condell told police he killed them so they couldn't identify him.
''We try to block it out as much as we can,'' Shentara said.
The youngest victim was Tony, a steadily improving Pee Wee football linebacker with an appetite for Vienna sausages and oatmeal.
His family says he is a remarkably spiritual boy. He spits on his hand and blesses his auntie's forehead as if he possessed holy water. He watches sermons on TV and says he wants to be a preacher one day.
Early on, chances seemed slim he would survive. Doctors sedated him for 13 days. Hooked up to life-saving equipment, his swollen body looked more machine than human.
Shentara, his mother, was wracked with guilt. She and her sister had been out of their hospital beds the next day.
Both women struggle with the ''What ifs.'' What if they had done something different that day? What if Ann had looked out the window before opening the door? What if Shentara hadn't played dead once she was wounded?
Why did they survive?
''It was a lot of praying and crying to God. I prayed. I asked God to give him back to me,'' Shentara said of her son.
Then, signs appeared, seemingly every seventh day. He drew breaths on his own. He wiggled his toes. He squeezed his aunt's finger.
Every sign of progress was measured. Emotions ebbed and flowed. His body still shivered; he still drooled.
Hope escalated. Tony opened his eyes. Hope swelled. His mother showed him Sunday newspaper ads. ''Which one is the boy? Which one is the girl?'' she asked.
He pointed correctly. She asked him to point out his favorite sport. Tony lifted his finger to a football someone had brought to the room.
''That's when I knew I had him,'' Shentara recalled.
The family's spirits were buoyed by flowers, balloons and the oversize card signed by Tony's football teammates.
Miami-Dade homicide detectives visited every day. Lead detective Juan Capote brought Tony a red Power Ranger doll.
For the detectives, solving the shooting was urgent -- even if it didn't elicit a huge public outcry. Three teams of detectives were assigned to the case. Many of the detectives have children. Capote himself is the father of a 4-year-old boy.
PAINFUL RECOVERY
As they tracked the five men believed responsible, the victims continued to recover. Doctors removed a portion of the left side of Shanterria's skull. She spent two weeks in bed. She feels self-conscious when she wears her helmet in public. Shanterria understands she was shot -- she cries during therapy, is afraid to go to the bathroom by herself and often wets her bed.
Her aunt, Ann, is still jumpy when she is alone. She was shot through the left side of the cheek; doctors performed surgery after she developed lockjaw.
She was also wounded in both arms: She has no feeling in parts of her left hand; her right arm is broken.
Nothing will bring Carla and Chaquone back. But life trudges on.
The family hopes prosecutors seek the death penalty for the shooters. Perhaps legislation can be passed to toughen crimes against children.
Ann hopes to write a book about her life and the shooting, to inspire teenage girls. She'll call it Which Way Out.
Before the shooting, Shentara wanted to open a group home for disabled people. Now she plans to open one for troubled teenage girls.
On Monday this week, the family received a welcome gift. Tony was discharged earlier than expected. He was home for Thanksgiving.
''It's wonderful. His birthday is next Wednesday,'' Shentara said.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
The Ron Brown Scholar Program
My son is a freshman but I have begun the search for scholarship opportunities for college.
The Ron Brown Scholar Program
The Ron Brown Scholar Program seeks to identify African-American high school seniors who will make significant contributions to society. Applicants must excel academically, exhibit exceptional leadership potential, participate in community service activities and demonstrate financial need. The applicant must be a US citizen or hold a permanent resident visa card. Current college students are not eligible to apply.
Each year, a minimum of ten students will be designated Ron Brown Scholars and will receive $10,000 annually for four years, for a total of $40,000. The recipients may use the renewable scholarships to attend an accredited four-year college or university of their choice within the United States. Ron Brown Scholarships are not limited to any specific field or career objective and may be used to pursue any academic discipline. More than 200 students have been designated as Ron Brown Scholars since the inception of the Program.
Ron Brown Scholars are selected in the spring prior to entering college. Applications are screened during the month of February by Ron Brown Scholar Program staff. In March, finalists are invited to participate in a weekend selection process in Washington, D.C. at the expense of the CAP Charitable Foundation. Finalists are interviewed by members of the Ron Brown Selection Committee and are expected to participate in several Selection Weekend activities. Scholarship winners are selected on the basis of their applications, interviews and participation in Selection Weekend activities. Notification follows immediately.
Application Deadline
The Ron Brown Scholar Program currently has two deadlines for applications (students must be current high school seniors at the time of their application):
November 1st - application will be considered for the Ron Brown Scholar Program AND forwarded to a select and limited number of additional scholarship providers.
January 9th - final postmarked deadline in order to be considered for only the Ron Brown Scholar Program ONLY.
Application materials must be mailed in one packet. Transcripts and letters of recommendation should not be sent under separate cover. Incomplete, e-mailed or faxed applications will not be considered.
Due to the volume of applications received, the Ron Brown Scholar Program can only notify semi-finalists and finalists of their status in the competition. This notification will be made in March. Winners of the scholarship will be notified by April 1st and names
The Ron Brown Scholar Program
The Ron Brown Scholar Program seeks to identify African-American high school seniors who will make significant contributions to society. Applicants must excel academically, exhibit exceptional leadership potential, participate in community service activities and demonstrate financial need. The applicant must be a US citizen or hold a permanent resident visa card. Current college students are not eligible to apply.
Each year, a minimum of ten students will be designated Ron Brown Scholars and will receive $10,000 annually for four years, for a total of $40,000. The recipients may use the renewable scholarships to attend an accredited four-year college or university of their choice within the United States. Ron Brown Scholarships are not limited to any specific field or career objective and may be used to pursue any academic discipline. More than 200 students have been designated as Ron Brown Scholars since the inception of the Program.
Ron Brown Scholars are selected in the spring prior to entering college. Applications are screened during the month of February by Ron Brown Scholar Program staff. In March, finalists are invited to participate in a weekend selection process in Washington, D.C. at the expense of the CAP Charitable Foundation. Finalists are interviewed by members of the Ron Brown Selection Committee and are expected to participate in several Selection Weekend activities. Scholarship winners are selected on the basis of their applications, interviews and participation in Selection Weekend activities. Notification follows immediately.
Application Deadline
The Ron Brown Scholar Program currently has two deadlines for applications (students must be current high school seniors at the time of their application):
November 1st - application will be considered for the Ron Brown Scholar Program AND forwarded to a select and limited number of additional scholarship providers.
January 9th - final postmarked deadline in order to be considered for only the Ron Brown Scholar Program ONLY.
Application materials must be mailed in one packet. Transcripts and letters of recommendation should not be sent under separate cover. Incomplete, e-mailed or faxed applications will not be considered.
Due to the volume of applications received, the Ron Brown Scholar Program can only notify semi-finalists and finalists of their status in the competition. This notification will be made in March. Winners of the scholarship will be notified by April 1st and names
Monday, November 13, 2006
Wet Me - Krosfyah - Soca Video
Wet Me - Krosfyah - Soca Video
One of my favorite soca bands. Now if only I could get a video of Pump Me up, my #1 soca song. This will have to do till then. It's a nice groovy soca tune.
Here it is!!! Pump Me Up Video by Krosfyah. I absolutely love this song! I'll dance to this tune anytime.
One of my favorite soca bands. Now if only I could get a video of Pump Me up, my #1 soca song. This will have to do till then. It's a nice groovy soca tune.
Here it is!!! Pump Me Up Video by Krosfyah. I absolutely love this song! I'll dance to this tune anytime.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Destra Garcia "Max it Up" Soca Video
Destra Garcia "Max it Up" Soca Video - Google Video
I like the high energy in this video... steelpan, carnival and brass. Pure niceness!
I like the high energy in this video... steelpan, carnival and brass. Pure niceness!
U.S. Marshals Make Final Arrest In Birthday Shootings - News - Local10.com | WPLG
Further proof that God answers prayers!
U.S. Marshals Make Final Arrest In Birthday Shootings - News - Local10.com | WPLG
U.S. Marshals Make Final Arrest In Birthday Shootings
5 Men Are Charged In Woman's, Son's Deaths
POSTED: 5:06 pm EST November 10, 2006
MIAMI -- On Friday, U.S. Marshals made the fifth and final arrest in connection with the shooting deaths of a mother and her 7-year-old son who were killed during the boy's birthday party.
Marshals arrested 26-year-old Jose Estache. He was taken into custody at 1943 S.W. 70th Way in North Lauderdale Friday afternoon.
On Thursday, police arrested Rayon Mathew Samuels, Sean Condell, Damian Lewis and Rashid Lee in connection with the Oct. 14 shooting. The men were connected to the shooting by weapons found during the search of a home at 1515 N.W. Third St. in Fort Lauderdale.
Carla Queeley, 34, and her son, Chaquone Watson, died from several gunshot wounds in a north Miami-Dade County neighborhood.
Shantaria Kearse, 7, and sisters Ann Maynard, 31, and Shantara Maynard, 24, were critically injured in the shooting but have since been released from the hospital. Shantaria suffered a serious brain injury when a bullet hit her in the head. Tony Chester, 4, lost an eye because of his injury. He is still hospitalized.
Relatives said that they suspected that the motive for the shooting was robbery.
"This was a brutal act, " said Curtis Maynard, who said he was Queeley's cousin. "They were trying to rob the house. Maybe they didn't expect that there was a birthday party."
Queeley, who was a nurse, was finishing up decorating the house for the birthday party when the armed men forced their way into the back of the home on Northeast Ninth Place, police said.
Police said that Queeley and her son were held hostage briefly while she was forced to call her cousins, who own the home, to tell them to return to the house. Shortly after other family members arrived, the men started shooting, police said.
U.S. Marshals Make Final Arrest In Birthday Shootings - News - Local10.com | WPLG
U.S. Marshals Make Final Arrest In Birthday Shootings
5 Men Are Charged In Woman's, Son's Deaths
POSTED: 5:06 pm EST November 10, 2006
MIAMI -- On Friday, U.S. Marshals made the fifth and final arrest in connection with the shooting deaths of a mother and her 7-year-old son who were killed during the boy's birthday party.
Marshals arrested 26-year-old Jose Estache. He was taken into custody at 1943 S.W. 70th Way in North Lauderdale Friday afternoon.
On Thursday, police arrested Rayon Mathew Samuels, Sean Condell, Damian Lewis and Rashid Lee in connection with the Oct. 14 shooting. The men were connected to the shooting by weapons found during the search of a home at 1515 N.W. Third St. in Fort Lauderdale.
Carla Queeley, 34, and her son, Chaquone Watson, died from several gunshot wounds in a north Miami-Dade County neighborhood.
Shantaria Kearse, 7, and sisters Ann Maynard, 31, and Shantara Maynard, 24, were critically injured in the shooting but have since been released from the hospital. Shantaria suffered a serious brain injury when a bullet hit her in the head. Tony Chester, 4, lost an eye because of his injury. He is still hospitalized.
Relatives said that they suspected that the motive for the shooting was robbery.
"This was a brutal act, " said Curtis Maynard, who said he was Queeley's cousin. "They were trying to rob the house. Maybe they didn't expect that there was a birthday party."
Queeley, who was a nurse, was finishing up decorating the house for the birthday party when the armed men forced their way into the back of the home on Northeast Ninth Place, police said.
Police said that Queeley and her son were held hostage briefly while she was forced to call her cousins, who own the home, to tell them to return to the house. Shortly after other family members arrived, the men started shooting, police said.
Friday, November 10, 2006
cbs4.com - Arrests Made In Birthday Party Murders
Proof that God truly answers prayers.
cbs4.com - Arrests Made In Birthday Party Murders: "Arrests Made In Birthday Party Murders
One Suspect Remains On The Loose
Carey Codd
Reporting
(CBS4) FT. LAUDERDALE Police have made four arrests in the murder of a North Miami-Dade mother and the shooting of her 7-year old son at the boy’s Spider-Man themed birthday party last month.
The arrests were made Wednesday after detectives raided a Fort Lauderdale apartment in the 1500 block of Northwest Third Street. Police also seized a cache of weapons and other items from the home. There were shotguns, Tec 9’s, rifles and even bullet proof vests discovered in the home.
One arrest was made after the raid and it didn’t take long before police linked the weapons discovery to the birthday party murders.
Sean Condell, aka “Shorty”, who police say confessed to the crime was arrested. Condell and Rayon Samuels, 20, have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder as well as other counts of attempted murder. Bjon Rashid Lewis, 27, and Damian Lewis, 23, were also jailed Thursday in connection to the crime.
Teams of homicide detectives have been working to solve the Oct. 14 shootings of Carla Queeley, 34, and her son, Shaquon Watson.
According to the Arrest Affidavit of Condell, he and another suspect, identified as Jose Estache entered the home at 20517 NE 9th Place, in order to commit a home invasion armed robbery.
The affidavit states that the men were armed with three guns, plastic flex cuffs and gloves when they entered the home.
Once inside, the suspects demanded to know where the safe was, while holding three of the victims at gunpoint, including Queeley, a nurse, who was preparing decorations for her son’s birthday party.
Three other victims arrived at the house in the middle of the robbery. Estache, allegedly took one victim to the front door at gunpoint. When the victim opened the front door, she told her sister and her sister’s two children, 7-year old Shantaria Kearse and 4-year old Tony Chester, to run.
When they did, the affidavit claims Estache fired his .22 caliber gun at the women and the two children. All four victims were shot in the head and sustained critical injuries. They’ve since been released from the hospital with the bullets still in their heads.
4-year old Tony Chester has lost an eye and 7-year old Shantaria Kearse will need brain surgery.
Queeley’s brother, Livingston Queeley spoke to CBS4’S Carey Codd and when told of Thursday’s arrests replied, “He deserved just what he done to my sister and nephew. He needs to get the worst punishment for this crime.”
The affidavit states police have a videotaped confession from Condell stating he shot Queeley and her son so they would not identify him in the crime.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
cbs4.com - Arrests Made In Birthday Party Murders: "Arrests Made In Birthday Party Murders
One Suspect Remains On The Loose
Carey Codd
Reporting
(CBS4) FT. LAUDERDALE Police have made four arrests in the murder of a North Miami-Dade mother and the shooting of her 7-year old son at the boy’s Spider-Man themed birthday party last month.
The arrests were made Wednesday after detectives raided a Fort Lauderdale apartment in the 1500 block of Northwest Third Street. Police also seized a cache of weapons and other items from the home. There were shotguns, Tec 9’s, rifles and even bullet proof vests discovered in the home.
One arrest was made after the raid and it didn’t take long before police linked the weapons discovery to the birthday party murders.
Sean Condell, aka “Shorty”, who police say confessed to the crime was arrested. Condell and Rayon Samuels, 20, have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder as well as other counts of attempted murder. Bjon Rashid Lewis, 27, and Damian Lewis, 23, were also jailed Thursday in connection to the crime.
Teams of homicide detectives have been working to solve the Oct. 14 shootings of Carla Queeley, 34, and her son, Shaquon Watson.
According to the Arrest Affidavit of Condell, he and another suspect, identified as Jose Estache entered the home at 20517 NE 9th Place, in order to commit a home invasion armed robbery.
The affidavit states that the men were armed with three guns, plastic flex cuffs and gloves when they entered the home.
Once inside, the suspects demanded to know where the safe was, while holding three of the victims at gunpoint, including Queeley, a nurse, who was preparing decorations for her son’s birthday party.
Three other victims arrived at the house in the middle of the robbery. Estache, allegedly took one victim to the front door at gunpoint. When the victim opened the front door, she told her sister and her sister’s two children, 7-year old Shantaria Kearse and 4-year old Tony Chester, to run.
When they did, the affidavit claims Estache fired his .22 caliber gun at the women and the two children. All four victims were shot in the head and sustained critical injuries. They’ve since been released from the hospital with the bullets still in their heads.
4-year old Tony Chester has lost an eye and 7-year old Shantaria Kearse will need brain surgery.
Queeley’s brother, Livingston Queeley spoke to CBS4’S Carey Codd and when told of Thursday’s arrests replied, “He deserved just what he done to my sister and nephew. He needs to get the worst punishment for this crime.”
The affidavit states police have a videotaped confession from Condell stating he shot Queeley and her son so they would not identify him in the crime.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Monday, November 06, 2006
cbs4.com - Robber Could Have Caused Birthday Boy's Death
Carla was born in St. Kitts but grew up in the Virgin Islands.
Oct 16, 2006 7:57 pm US/Eastern
cbs4.com - Robber Could Have Caused Birthday Boy's Death
Relatives believe robbery may be the motive
Carla Queeley And Her Son Were Killed
Carey Codd
Reporting
(CBS4 News) NORTHEAST MIAMI-DADE Two victims, hurt in Saturday’s brutal murder of a young mother and her son at a birthday party in North Miami-Dade, have been released from the hospital, all while a community and police try to figure out why the crime occurred in the first place.
Sisters Ann Maynard, 31, a Miami-Dade Corrections Department nurse and Shantara Maynard, 24, a bartender, were released Monday morning. Shantara’s 7-year-old daughter, Shantaria Kearse and 4-year-old son, Tony Chester, remain hospitalized at Jackson Memorial Hospital. They are the survivors of Saturday’s shooting which grieving family members speculate might have been motivated by robbery.
Carla Queeley, 34, a nurse was killed along with her son, Shaquon Watson, who was celebrating his 7th birthday with a Spiderman theme party. Monday, grief counselors were out at the boy's school, Lakeview Elementary, to provide emotional needed help for grieving students.
The school principal says the loss was felt by many at the school.
"It's devastating when you hear that one of your students, who you deal with on a day-in, day-out, has gone through such a catastrophe," said Principal Jeffrey Hernandez.
Relatives say that only minutes after breaking in to the home located at 20517 NE 9 Place, the gunmen demanded Queeley, who was decorating the home for her son’s birthday party, to call the owners of the house so she could show them where the money was kept. Gunfire broke out soon afterward, they said.
It's unclear whether money or valuables were taken.
Party guests arrived after 3 p.m. to find the home surrounded by yellow police tape.
Official information about the Saturday afternoon assault has been hard to come by; police made no statements Sunday and had little to say after the attack. They also have not released any type of description of the suspects. Detectives describe the case as an "ongoing, sensitive criminal investigation."
Sandry Bowers lives across the street from the home where the attack took place, and said she heard a knock at the door Saturday When she opened it, she found Ann Maynard drenched in blood.
“And the blood came in, and then she said, ‘Hurry, he’s coming’” she recalled. “And I just closed it back because, I mean, if somebody’s going to come he could come in here as well and shoot me and my grand-daughter too.”
Bowers said Maynard owns the home, and was hosting the birthday party. She was told by a relative what apparently happened in the home.
“She said they just walked up and shot the little boy in the head, and they were just walking around and shooting everybody, just shooting them with no reason,” Bowers said. “That’s what she said.”
Residents of the neighborhood say they have no idea why the home was targeted, and are upset they have heard nothing from police investigating the attack.
"It's sad, you know, because they are so innocent and wholesome and were shot and killed," said Livingston Queeley, whose sister died in the attack.
"It's devious," said Dehana. "They don't have anything else to do but go out and kill a 7 year old child and an innocent lady? She's not doing nobody nothing."
Family members have started planning funeral arrangements for the dead, even as they anxiously watch over those being treated for gunshot wounds.
The person or people responsible for the attack remain at large.
Anyone with information can call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Oct 16, 2006 7:57 pm US/Eastern
cbs4.com - Robber Could Have Caused Birthday Boy's Death
Relatives believe robbery may be the motive
Carla Queeley And Her Son Were Killed
Carey Codd
Reporting
(CBS4 News) NORTHEAST MIAMI-DADE Two victims, hurt in Saturday’s brutal murder of a young mother and her son at a birthday party in North Miami-Dade, have been released from the hospital, all while a community and police try to figure out why the crime occurred in the first place.
Sisters Ann Maynard, 31, a Miami-Dade Corrections Department nurse and Shantara Maynard, 24, a bartender, were released Monday morning. Shantara’s 7-year-old daughter, Shantaria Kearse and 4-year-old son, Tony Chester, remain hospitalized at Jackson Memorial Hospital. They are the survivors of Saturday’s shooting which grieving family members speculate might have been motivated by robbery.
Carla Queeley, 34, a nurse was killed along with her son, Shaquon Watson, who was celebrating his 7th birthday with a Spiderman theme party. Monday, grief counselors were out at the boy's school, Lakeview Elementary, to provide emotional needed help for grieving students.
The school principal says the loss was felt by many at the school.
"It's devastating when you hear that one of your students, who you deal with on a day-in, day-out, has gone through such a catastrophe," said Principal Jeffrey Hernandez.
Relatives say that only minutes after breaking in to the home located at 20517 NE 9 Place, the gunmen demanded Queeley, who was decorating the home for her son’s birthday party, to call the owners of the house so she could show them where the money was kept. Gunfire broke out soon afterward, they said.
It's unclear whether money or valuables were taken.
Party guests arrived after 3 p.m. to find the home surrounded by yellow police tape.
Official information about the Saturday afternoon assault has been hard to come by; police made no statements Sunday and had little to say after the attack. They also have not released any type of description of the suspects. Detectives describe the case as an "ongoing, sensitive criminal investigation."
Sandry Bowers lives across the street from the home where the attack took place, and said she heard a knock at the door Saturday When she opened it, she found Ann Maynard drenched in blood.
“And the blood came in, and then she said, ‘Hurry, he’s coming’” she recalled. “And I just closed it back because, I mean, if somebody’s going to come he could come in here as well and shoot me and my grand-daughter too.”
Bowers said Maynard owns the home, and was hosting the birthday party. She was told by a relative what apparently happened in the home.
“She said they just walked up and shot the little boy in the head, and they were just walking around and shooting everybody, just shooting them with no reason,” Bowers said. “That’s what she said.”
Residents of the neighborhood say they have no idea why the home was targeted, and are upset they have heard nothing from police investigating the attack.
"It's sad, you know, because they are so innocent and wholesome and were shot and killed," said Livingston Queeley, whose sister died in the attack.
"It's devious," said Dehana. "They don't have anything else to do but go out and kill a 7 year old child and an innocent lady? She's not doing nobody nothing."
Family members have started planning funeral arrangements for the dead, even as they anxiously watch over those being treated for gunshot wounds.
The person or people responsible for the attack remain at large.
Anyone with information can call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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