Mother Of Murder Victim In Lauderhill Home Invasion Speaks Out

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – More than 40 police evidence markers littered the outside of a Lauderhill apartment early Tuesday morning as police investigated a deadly home invasion.

The mother of the man who was murdered is speaking out.

She told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench, “That was my first son. There is no need for a mother to be burying their first child. I really don’t know what is going on. My son was a very fun-loving person. My son was not a bad person. That’s what I want people to know and understand. There was no reason for this to happen. No reason at all. He had no enemies at all. He meant the world to me and my family.”

She said she did not want to give her name or her son’s name but she said “Detectives are taking care of this. I am holding on to what they are doing. I’m am holding on to that too. We know those detectives will be here.”

Nearly a dozen loved ones and friends went to the apartment complex looking for answers and to comfort the mother.

It happened just before 2 a.m. at the Windermere Apartments at 52nd Avenue and SW 18th Street.

Police said their officers heard gunshots and were flagged down by a man at the apartment entrance who had been shot in the leg.

“I heard multiple gunshots but I didn’t look out,” said one resident.

The injured man told investigators that a group of armed men entered his unit demanding “stuff” and shots were fired.

D’Oench caught up with him after he was released from the hospital. He was on crutches and said he did not want to say anything at all about the incident or why he was wounded.

When police went to the apartment they found the body of a man who had been shot.

“When we approached the victim at the front gate, he was somewhat incoherent. He was suffering, obviously from a traumatic wound, and he was in and out. So he was telling us what he could at the time,” said Lauderhill Police Lt. Mike Santiago.

Santiago said the man told the officers that some individuals had stormed his residence and gunfire erupted, he said he was shot in the leg when he fled the apartment.

The man told the officers the it happened in Building 5209 – apartment 2.

“When the officers arrived they opened the front door, which was unlocked, and discovered a body right in the entrance of the apartment,” said Santiago.

Police said the injured man didn’t specify what the intruders demanded or what they took.

Anyone with information that can help Lauderhill police should call Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS (8477).

There is a reward of up to $3,000.

Lauderhill Police say they are looking for at least two suspects and are getting a search warrant to go into the apartment.

They have not identified the victims.

2 Injured In Two-Car Collision in Miami Gardens

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami Gardens police say two people had to be transported to a local hospital following a head-on collision Monday morning in Miami Gardens.

It happened at around 9 a.m. in the 20900 block of NW 2nd Avenue, authorities said.

The driver of one of the vehicles was going northbound, lost control of his car, crossed the median, entered the southbound lanes and hit another car head-on, according to police.

The vehicles involved showed severe damage, with one sedan missing its roof and most of its front-end.

There were unconfirmed reports of one of the vehicles being involved in a drag race at the time of the crash. Police had no comment.

Victoria Jones feels very fortunate to have survived a very close call.

“A car lost control from the other side of the road. It came right over and impacted the car that was in front of me,” said Jones.

“I avoided it by swerving to the left,” she told CBS4’S Peter D’Oench. “Oh my Lord, I thought not today. I just kept swerving left because I wasn’t sure where I was going. The other car slammed into another car and they just kept spinning in the street. The guy got thrown out of the car and the other lady had to be cut out of the car. Thank God my mom and I are fine. It could have a been a lot worse let me tell you.”

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue had to use the “Jaws of Life” to extract one of the victims.

“It happened so quick that you don’t expect those things to be happening,” she said. “You never expect something like that to happen.”

Her mother said, “Those cars just kept spinning around. My prayers are with their families.”

Rescuers had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate one of the injured drivers.

“They had to cut the car apart in order to get her out of there.”

The second vehicle showed significant front-end damage.

There were at least two fire-rescue trucks and debris from the collision was strewn all over the roadway.

Lt. Islam Lugo of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said, “There were 3 cars involved in this collision and there was no complaint about what happened to one of the cars.”

It’s not clear where that 3rd vehicle is and if it stopped on the scene or took off. Police have not said if they are looking for a 3rd vehicle.

The condition of those injured is currently unknown.

Miami Gardens Police spokeswoman, Nelly Jones said, “Right now we can’t confirm exactly what happened. We are still in the early stages of this investigation.”

“I can tell you there was a car going northbound on Northwest 2nd Avenue and it lost control. The driver then crossed over the median and continued going northbound in southbound traffic. The driver in the black Impala collided with the 2nd vehicle.”

Witnesses are being asked to call Miami Gardens police if they should have any information on the crash. She said the number to call is (305) 474-6473.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-8477 or (305) 471-TIPS.

Drive-By Shooting Victim Aaron Willis Wants To Become A Social Worker & ‘Change People’s Lives’

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A 22-year-old Miami man who was paralyzed in a drive-by shooting seven years ago says he is now going to devote his life to helping others.

Aaron Willis was a 15-year-old 9th-grade student at Booker T. Washington High School when he was shot in the back while riding his bicycle home near midtown Miami. It happened at 8:20 p.m. on December 19th, 2012.

“I want to be where I can go in the world and change people’s lives so I have decided to change my major at Miami-Dade College from psychology to social work so I can get in touch with the families that need help,” Willis told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench.

“My father Sammie died from cancer two years ago after being at my side and he always inspired me to help others,” he said.

“It’s what I want to do.”

CBS4 has profiled Aaron Willis over the years since the drive-by happened.

Aaron Willis was 15-years-old when he was shot in the back while riding his bicycle home near midtown Miami. He’s now 22. (CBS4)

The drive-by at Northwest 1 Ave. and 28 Street, which nearly took his life forever, altered his outlook.

“Since I have been shot life had thrown me a lot of challenges,” he said.

“The only thing it makes me say is that every day is a new opportunity that sounds better. Yesterday might be bad and yesterday you might be angry at the world but today’s a new day and I wake up and I want to be more positive.”

Willis did not see the gunman’s face because it was dark and he was shot in the back. He does recall the gunman left in an older model, white Nissan Maxima.

“I remember it like it was yesterday,” he said. “When I realized how late it was getting and I turned around I noticed I had to go home. That’s when I heard the shots go off. I thought it was firecrackers. There were bullets flying by my ears and the next thing I noticed I was on the floor and I could feel nothing below my waist.”

He spent 5 weeks at Jackson Memorial Hospital. At the time, he said, “I feel they didn’t have to shoot me. I didn’t do anything, I don’t think they realized who they were shooting at.”

The shooter is still at large which does not seem to upset Willis.

“I have already forgiven that person,” he said. “Who it was at the end of the day if he gets caught, if he is going to be caught, it is up to God,” said Willis.

Willis has tried to stay busy since graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in 2016 and as an advocate against gun violence in a play in 2017 at Florida International University.

With daily help from his mother Katherine, the wheelchair-bound Willis now attends classes as a sophomore at Miami-Dade College and goes to therapy 3 days a week.

“For me, life in a wheelchair hasn’t been easy,” he said.

His mother has been at his side ever since his father Sammie died from cancer two years ago.

“It’s been hard ever since my husband passed away,” said Katherine Willis.

“He’s my son and I love him. I am proud that he wants to be a social worker.”

“Helping other people has always been a big thing for me,” said Willis. “My dad was always my role model and who I looked up so whatever he wanted I always followed through on.”

Willis has been invited to speak at schools as an inspiration to others.

“I would say thank you to others because I am trying to be an inspiration to myself,” said Willis. “Doing this every day is not easy. For those of you who think every day is a cakewalk for me, it is not so. At the end of the day, you got to try just like me.”

Despite his challenges, Willis says he is determined to never give up.

Drive-By Shooting Victim Aaron Willis Wants To Become A Social Worker & ‘Change People’s Lives’

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A 22-year-old Miami man who was paralyzed in a drive-by shooting seven years ago says he is now going to devote his life to helping others.

Aaron Willis was a 15-year-old 9th-grade student at Booker T. Washington High School when he was shot in the back while riding his bicycle home near midtown Miami. It happened at 8:20 p.m. on December 19th, 2012.

“I want to be where I can go in the world and change people’s lives so I have decided to change my major at Miami-Dade College from psychology to social work so I can get in touch with the families that need help,” Willis told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench.

“My father Sammie died from cancer two years ago after being at my side and he always inspired me to help others,” he said.

“It’s what I want to do.”

CBS4 has profiled Aaron Willis over the years since the drive-by happened.

Aaron Willis was 15-years-old when he was shot in the back while riding his bicycle home near midtown Miami. He’s now 22. (CBS4)

The drive-by at Northwest 1 Ave. and 28 Street, which nearly took his life forever, altered his outlook.

“Since I have been shot life had thrown me a lot of challenges,” he said.

“The only thing it makes me say is that every day is a new opportunity that sounds better. Yesterday might be bad and yesterday you might be angry at the world but today’s a new day and I wake up and I want to be more positive.”

Willis did not see the gunman’s face because it was dark and he was shot in the back. He does recall the gunman left in an older model, white Nissan Maxima.

“I remember it like it was yesterday,” he said. “When I realized how late it was getting and I turned around I noticed I had to go home. That’s when I heard the shots go off. I thought it was firecrackers. There were bullets flying by my ears and the next thing I noticed I was on the floor and I could feel nothing below my waist.”

He spent 5 weeks at Jackson Memorial Hospital. At the time, he said, “I feel they didn’t have to shoot me. I didn’t do anything, I don’t think they realized who they were shooting at.”

The shooter is still at large which does not seem to upset Willis.

“I have already forgiven that person,” he said. “Who it was at the end of the day if he gets caught, if he is going to be caught, it is up to God,” said Willis.

Willis has tried to stay busy since graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in 2016 and as an advocate against gun violence in a play in 2017 at Florida International University.

With daily help from his mother Katherine, the wheelchair-bound Willis now attends classes as a sophomore at Miami-Dade College and goes to therapy 3 days a week.

“For me, life in a wheelchair hasn’t been easy,” he said.

His mother has been at his side ever since his father Sammie died from cancer two years ago.

“It’s been hard ever since my husband passed away,” said Katherine Willis.

“He’s my son and I love him. I am proud that he wants to be a social worker.”

“Helping other people has always been a big thing for me,” said Willis. “My dad was always my role model and who I looked up so whatever he wanted I always followed through on.”

Willis has been invited to speak at schools as an inspiration to others.

“I would say thank you to others because I am trying to be an inspiration to myself,” said Willis. “Doing this every day is not easy. For those of you who think every day is a cakewalk for me, it is not so. At the end of the day, you got to try just like me.”

Despite his challenges, Willis says he is determined to never give up.

Drive-By Shooting Victim Aaron Willis Wants To Become A Social Worker & ‘Change People’s Lives’

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A 22-year-old Miami man who was paralyzed in a drive-by shooting seven years ago says he is now going to devote his life to helping others.

Aaron Willis was a 15-year-old 9th-grade student at Booker T. Washington High School when he was shot in the back while riding his bicycle home near midtown Miami. It happened at 8:20 p.m. on December 19th, 2012.

“I want to be where I can go in the world and change people’s lives so I have decided to change my major at Miami-Dade College from psychology to social work so I can get in touch with the families that need help,” Willis told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench.

“My father Sammie died from cancer two years ago after being at my side and he always inspired me to help others,” he said.

“It’s what I want to do.”

CBS4 has profiled Aaron Willis over the years since the drive-by happened.

Aaron Willis was 15-years-old when he was shot in the back while riding his bicycle home near midtown Miami. He’s now 22. (CBS4)

The drive-by at Northwest 1 Ave. and 28 Street, which nearly took his life forever, altered his outlook.

“Since I have been shot life had thrown me a lot of challenges,” he said.

“The only thing it makes me say is that every day is a new opportunity that sounds better. Yesterday might be bad and yesterday you might be angry at the world but today’s a new day and I wake up and I want to be more positive.”

Willis did not see the gunman’s face because it was dark and he was shot in the back. He does recall the gunman left in an older model, white Nissan Maxima.

“I remember it like it was yesterday,” he said. “When I realized how late it was getting and I turned around I noticed I had to go home. That’s when I heard the shots go off. I thought it was firecrackers. There were bullets flying by my ears and the next thing I noticed I was on the floor and I could feel nothing below my waist.”

He spent 5 weeks at Jackson Memorial Hospital. At the time, he said, “I feel they didn’t have to shoot me. I didn’t do anything, I don’t think they realized who they were shooting at.”

The shooter is still at large which does not seem to upset Willis.

“I have already forgiven that person,” he said. “Who it was at the end of the day if he gets caught, if he is going to be caught, it is up to God,” said Willis.

Willis has tried to stay busy since graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in 2016 and as an advocate against gun violence in a play in 2017 at Florida International University.

With daily help from his mother Katherine, the wheelchair-bound Willis now attends classes as a sophomore at Miami-Dade College and goes to therapy 3 days a week.

“For me, life in a wheelchair hasn’t been easy,” he said.

His mother has been at his side ever since his father Sammie died from cancer two years ago.

“It’s been hard ever since my husband passed away,” said Katherine Willis.

“He’s my son and I love him. I am proud that he wants to be a social worker.”

“Helping other people has always been a big thing for me,” said Willis. “My dad was always my role model and who I looked up so whatever he wanted I always followed through on.”

Willis has been invited to speak at schools as an inspiration to others.

“I would say thank you to others because I am trying to be an inspiration to myself,” said Willis. “Doing this every day is not easy. For those of you who think every day is a cakewalk for me, it is not so. At the end of the day, you got to try just like me.”

Despite his challenges, Willis says he is determined to never give up.