Four people behind bars in Opa-locka shooting that left two teens hospitalized

At least four people are behind bars in connection to an Opa-locka shooting that left two 14-year-olds critically injured, according to police.

Santana Owen Britton, a Miami Gardens 19-year-old, is facing charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, shooting a deadly missile and contributing to delinquency. Johnathan Allen Hodges, a Coral Springs 20-year-old, is facing charges of criminal solicitation and accessory after the fact. A 17-year-old and a 16-year-old were also charged, but it is unclear with what. The Miami Herald is withholding their names due to their ages.

On Tuesday, two 14-year-olds were in a home in the Mirage at Sailboat Cove gated community, 14301 NW 17th Ave., when they heard a knock at their door, according to an arrest report.

One of the teens answered and saw their friend, the 16-year-old suspect. They exchanged a friendly handshake, but the older teen suddenly pulled out a gun and shot the 14-year-old several times as he ran upstairs, the report read.

According to Opa-locka police, the other 14-year-old told them Britton was also with the 16-year-old and shot at him.

One of the younger teens was struck six times, striking his face, butt, groin and shin. The other was shot three times above both knees.

Opa-locka officers rushed to the gated community after reports of gunfire, the report read. They found both of the wounded teens inside the home in separate bedrooms on the second floor.

They were airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition but have since stabilized, police said.

As police were racing to the home, two officers saw a green Chevrolet Impala speeding away from the area and driving erratically. They pulled over the car and detained the driver, Hodges, and the two passengers, the 16- and 17-year-old.

According to officers, the 17-year-old had a black and red assault-style rifle next to him in the car, and, as the 16-year-old got out, he was holding a black assault-style rifle. Officers found 11 spent .45 caliber shell casings inside the home.

The four suspects were all taken to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Northwest District to be interviewed. According to the arrest report, Britton told detectives a different version of events.

Britton said he went to the home with marijuana and met the two 14-year-olds and other people. Inside, they began smoking when they heard a knock on the door. Britton then saw a flashlight attached to a gun and heard gunshots, prompting him to run out via a sliding glass door and to another home.

Police said Britton came back to the scene and was taken into custody.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Britton and Hodges remained in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. It is unclear if the two minors are still in jail.

This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 11:37 AM.