‘He should be alive.’ Family, friends mourn death of 9-year-old boy in Florida City
.png "Antavious Scott, who was 9 years old, was shot and killed in Florida City on Saturday night, Nov. 16, 2024, while standing outside an apartment complex.")
After a 9-year-old child was shot and killed as he stood outside an apartment complex in Florida City on Saturday night, friends and others have aired their anger.
“He was just 9, people!” Miami Gardens resident Fred Christian posted on Facebook. “He should be alive.”
According to Miami-Dade police, which is investigating the young boy’s death, a report of multiple gunshots came in around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, leading Florida City police officers to 865 Lucy St. and the Southpoint Crossing Apartments. They found the wounded boy, who had been standing outside with friends when the shooting began.
READ MORE: A 9-year-old child was shot and killed outside a Miami-Dade apartment complex, cops say
The child, whom the family identified as Antavious Scott, affectionately known as “TayTay” to his family, was airlifted by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to HCA Florida Kendall Regional, where he died.
Miami-Dade Police is investigating the case and did not have any additional information, a police spokesperson said Monday.
His death has devastated his family and friends, who are calling for the police to do more.
“Antavious known as TayTay was a child full of life and held many different characteristics within his one little body, a sibling to 3 and a soon-to-be star football player,” Teretha Williams, his grandmother wrote on a GoFundMe started to help pay for the funeral costs.
His memorial service is set for Nov. 30, according to the fundraising page.
“The impact to our family is [severe] and leaves a tear in our hearts as we mourn our gentle little giant lost,” wrote Williams.
“I am heartbroken by the senseless and tragic loss of nine-year-old Antavious Scott, a child with his whole life ahead of him,” Kevin Chambliss of Covenant Missionary Baptist Church Youth Ministry, a youth advocacy group in Florida City, posted on Facebook.
“This devastating act has shaken our community to its core, and we cannot allow this to go unanswered,” he said.
In a joint Facebook post, the Miami-Dade & Florida Keys Crime Stoppers, Florida City Police Department and Miami-Dade Police Department mourned Antavious’ death and announced a $5,000 reward to anyone who can provide information that will lead to an arrest.
“Today, a school full of children will learn about Antavious,” the post said. “His teachers and his classmates will be missing his humor and smiles.
“It’s been over 24 hours since nine-year-old Antavious Scott was taken from us in Florida City. This heartbreaking loss has left his family and our community searching for answers.”
Florida City Commissioner Walter Thompson told WSVN that Antavious was a fun-loving child who loved his family.
“He loves football, he loves laughing, he loves joking, he’s a nice kid. He loves being around his brothers and sisters and I’ll tell you like this, he loves his mom,” Thompson told the station.
People with information about the shooting can contact Crime Stoppers of Miami-Dade & the Florida Keys either via the website or at 305-471-8477 (TIPS).
Miami Herald Staff writer Milena Malaver contributed to this report.
This story was originally published November 18, 2024 at 3:14 PM.
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