In connection with the shooting that took place outside a Florida banquet hall over Memorial Day weekend in 2021, authorities have arrested four individuals believed to be members of a gang. The incident resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left at least 20 others injured.
During a rap concert at the El Mula Banquet Hall, the largest mass shooting in Miami-Dade County history occurred, resulting in the tragic deaths of Desmond Owens, Clayton Dillard III, and Shaniqua Lechelle Peterson, all aged between 26 and 32. The shooting took place outside the venue as people were arriving for the event. Authorities are investigating the incident.
During a press conference, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the State Attorney of Miami-Dade, declared on Thursday that arrests had been made.
Fernandez Rundle expressed that the attack was premeditated and aimed towards both the performers and the audience. She further added that the violence was entirely pointless and driven by revenge.
During a recent press conference, Fernandez Rundle announced that Allen Gregory Chambers Jr. (30), Jacarree Brian Green (30), Willie Zavon Hill (27), and Eugene Anthony Holmes (22) have been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder.
According to authorities, the shooting incident that occurred on May 30, 2021, involved four vehicles, and the alleged gunmen are each facing charges of 20 counts of attempted murder. Additionally, Hill is being charged with evidence tampering for disposing of a Nissan Pathfinder that was reportedly used in the shooting.
Someone ditched the Pathfinder in a canal after stealing it.
According to CBS News, Davonte Barnes, the self-confessed lookout during the crime, was found guilty of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment in the fall of last year.
The Miami Herald reports that Chambers, Green, Hill, and Holmes are currently in custody without bail. Prosecutors have not made any statements regarding whether they will pursue the death penalty or not.
According to Fernandez Rundle, the investigation is still in progress and there is a possibility of more arrests.
She stated that the investigation will persist until all individuals who can face charges have been charged.
According to the arrest warrants acquired by the Herald, the Bricks street gang members were the defendants in the case. Their main objective was to target a rap artist who goes by the name of “Foepack.” It is reported that the artist was performing at El Mula during the night of the shooting.
According to court documents, the Back Blues, a rival gang based in Opa-locka, counts the rapper as one of its members.
According to the Herald, prosecutors asserted during Barnes’ pretrial hearing that the men conspired to carry out the shooting upon discovering the rapper’s scheduled performance. The shooting was partly motivated by the recent death of Antwon Streeter, a member of the Bricks gang who was shot the week prior to the incident.
According to the newspaper, Antonio Jones, also known as “FoePack,” was the main target of the group, but luckily, he only sustained minor injuries from a bullet that hit his foot. On the other hand, Johntrell Love, also known as “JRG Hatchett,” was shot in the head but managed to survive.
Authorities have revealed that Owens, who lost his life, was actually the third target that was intended to be killed.
Officials report that Peterson, who was killed, is thought to have been an uninvolved observer.
