Man held in girl's crossfire death
By David Ovalle
dovalle@MiamiHerald.com
The gunman with long dreadlocks known as Yellow Man was arrested late Thursday in the killing of 9-year-old Sherdavia Jenkins, police said.
The little girl was shot dead Saturday, caught in the middle of a firefight in the Liberty City housing projects known as Pork 'n' Beans.
Leroy LaRose, 28, whose wife recently gave birth to a baby, faces charges of felony murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Homicide detectives said LaRose was one of the gunmen in the firefight that killed Sherdavia as she played outside her home in the 1200 block of Northwest 65th Terrace.
"Witnesses in the area identified [LaRose] as the person involved" in the gunfight, an arrest form said.
Detectives spoke with LaRose on Wednesday, and he promised to come to Miami headquarters, but never did, police said.
Instead, he showed up at a Broward sheriff's station Thursday - with a gunshot wound - and deputies brought him to Miami.
He was being treated for the injury at Jackson Memorial Hospital late into the evening.
Police did not disclose whether they believe a bullet from his gun struck Sherdavia.
Investigators are still searching for another man, Damon Darling, 21, known on the streets as Red Rock. He is wanted for questioning.
Police believe the convicted small-time drug peddler is armed and dangerous. Investigators believe he may be trying to flee South Florida for Jacksonville.
"We are actively using every resource in an attempt to locate him," said Miami homicide Lt. John Buhrmaster.
So far, 2006 has been a bloody year in Miami-Dade County - the homicide rate has skyrocketed and at least one other toddler and two young women have been killed in the crossfire of bullets in recent months.
Headed by lead homicide Detective Rolando Garcia, the high-stakes investigation has grown to include investigators from many other units.
Sherdavia's death also has energized city and community leaders tired of the cycle of black-on-black violence in urban Miami-Dade. Sherdavia's family also has been very vocal.
"This put them one step closer to not only the closure they need, but the community needs," Miami Detective Delrish Moss said of the girl's parents, Sherrone and David Jenkins.
The African American Council of Christian Clergy, along with county commissioners, contributed $36,000 for a reward fund to help find those responsible for Sherdavia's death.
Police on Thursday said LaRose was one of those to blame.
In the days following Sherdavia's death, Miami police had put out word they were looking for a distinctive looking light-skin man with dreads past his waist, who wore a white polo shirt, blue jeans, two-tone sneakers and a cap.
They later released a slight variation of his name, Leroy Lacrose.
State records show LaRose, a laborer who recently got a job at a Wal-Mart, has been arrested eight times since 2005, mostly for minor drug and nonviolent crimes.
His first arrest: 1998, for selling cocaine and cocaine possession. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, according to court records.
LaRose's most recent arrest was earlier this year, for driving with a suspended license.