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Florida Roundup: Gun Violence In Miami-Dade County

Marsha Halper
/
Miami Herald
A memorial for 6-year old King Carter, who was fatally shot on February 20, 2016.

As shootings of children dominate the headlines in Miami-Dade County, communities and police are searching for answers on how to solve and prevent these crimes.

Last weekend,6-year-old King Carter was killed when he was caught in crossfire in the Blue Lake Village.

Then days later in Northwest Miami-Dade, another shooting left one teenager dead. Blocks away on the same evening, a 16-year-old boy was shot in the leg.

Last year, more than 30 children and teenagers were fatally shot in Miami-Dade.

“We need to focus on prevention,” said Miami-Dade schools superintendent Alberto Carvalho at a press conference on Wednesday following the arrests of Carter’s two suspected shooters. “It is not just about resolving crimes: it’s about preventing crimes.”

City of Miami and Miami-Dade police officers are engaging directly with students at school in an effort to improve police-community relations.

Still, law enforcement often cite communities’ “no snitch” culture as the challenge to solving shootings.

"The community is fed up," said Miami-Dade Police Department Assistant Director Alfredo Ramirez. "They're looking for answers. They need help. We're there."

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