logo
Cheer camp dad is a hero after killing gunman in shooting near Florida's Tropical Park, sources say

Cheer camp dad is a hero after killing gunman in shooting near Florida's Tropical Park, sources say

A father accompanying his child at a Miami-Dade cheer camp Thursday was forced to become a hero when a disgruntled man at a nearby auto mechanic shop decided to shoot a man with a shotgun, sources told The Miami Herald.
Around 1 p.m., parents at Idol Cheer, a cheerleading training camp, saw a man armed with a shotgun shoot what appeared to be an employee at Priced Right Motors, 7321 SW 45th St., sources at the camp said.
Police activity as Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office investigates a shooting near Southwest 75th Avenue and 45th Street. (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald/TNS)
The unidentified father rushed to the children and frantically searched for somewhere to shelter them. That's when he thought the gunman might open fire at the kids — he pulled out his own gun and shot him before that could happen, sources said. He then promptly rushed the children to safety.
Heavily armed Miami-Dade Sheriff's deputies soon swarmed the warehouse district not far from Tropical Park in response to the shooting. Three people were wounded, including the gunman, who later died, according to a source close to the investigation.
All three were taken to the hospital from the shooting location near Southwest 73rd Avenue and Southwest 45th Street, Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz told reporters at a news conference. Cordero-Stutz said that preliminary information indicates one of the people taken to the hospital is the shooter. She added the community should be calm but urged people to avoid the area.
A police officer blocks traffic as Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office investigates a shooting near Southwest 75th Avenue and 45th Street, in the warehouse district south of Bird Road on Thursday, April 24, 2025, Miami. (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald/TNS)
Deputies did not confirm details on the father at the cheer camp who shot the gunman.
Families gathered, waiting for loved ones near where the shooting took place. At least 23 children from the cheer camp were hunkered down behind crime scene tape, waiting to be reunited with their families. Deputies asked parents to go to 7391 SW 44th St, which has been set up as a reunification center.
Rudy Sorondo's 10-year-old daughter was one of the cheerleaders who heard the shots, her father told the Herald. Sorondo, a strength trainer, was with a client when he heard through the parents' app about a possible active shooter and that the girls were locked down inside the training camp.
'It was madness,' he said, noting that about an hour passed between when the shots were fired and deputies reunited the girls with their parents.
When they did emerge, some of the girls saw people lying on the ground, bleeding. Deputies tried to shield the children's eyes as they walked past the bloodshed.
A police officer stands by as Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office investigates a shooting near Southwest 75th Avenue and 45th Street, in the warehouse district south of Bird Road on Thursday, April 24, 2025, Miami. (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald/TNS)
'The girls were freaking out. They never saw that much blood, let alone from gunfire,' Sorondo said.
Initial details were sketchy, but a string of squad cars were lined up on Southwest 42nd Street near Southwest 73rd Avenue. Deputies armed with high-powered rifles and wearing tactical vests poured in.
According to the police scanners on Broadcastify, 911 callers reported police were engaged in some sort of shootout near an auto repair center. It wasn't immediately clear how many people might have been hurt in the confrontation.
Several business owners and workers were bewildered by the sudden massive police presence as several armed deputies rushed in with shotguns and high-powered assault rifles.
Manuel, who did not want to give his last name, works at a business just a few feet away from the shooting.
He said he heard at least six shots, but it didn't dawn on him at first what was happening.
'When I took it seriously was when I started seeing people running away,' Manuel said.
A worker at a detail shop in the industrial zone was out for lunch when a coworker frantically texted about the shooting.
'It was like a scene out of a movie,' the worker said of what he saw when he rushed back to the auto body shop. 'There was a big fight a few months ago, but you don't see this around here.'
An employee at a Mercedes-Benz overflow lot, who did not want to be named, heard the rapid gunfire and raced to the commotion to see what was going on.
'If they got the dude, thank God,' he said.
A video shared on the social media platform OnlyinDade captures a chaotic scene as several people watch from inside what appears to be an auto repair shop while loud gunshots ring out nearby. As the shots echo, bystanders scramble for cover while armed law enforcement officers rush around the area, some with their weapons drawn.
The massive response created traffic in the area as Southwest 70th-75th Avenues and Southwest 41st to 48th Street were closed. Bird Road has since reopened.
By 2 p.m., TV footage from the area showed dozens of deputies still searching or gathered near the warehouses.
___
© 2025 Miami Herald.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

ICE and Border Patrol will be at the Club World Cup in Miami. Is that normal?
ICE and Border Patrol will be at the Club World Cup in Miami. Is that normal?

Miami Herald

time2 hours ago

  • Miami Herald

ICE and Border Patrol will be at the Club World Cup in Miami. Is that normal?

A series of social media posts by U.S. Customs and Border Protection have spooked fans ahead of Inter Miami's match against Egypt's Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium as part of FIFA's Club World Cup this Saturday. Since at least April, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been promoting its involvement in security measures for the tournament on social media and vowing to work with local, state, and federal partners to 'secure the games around the U.S.' One post read, 'Together, CBP Office of Field Operations, CBP Air and Marine Operations and U.S. Border Patrol have a strong presence so you can focus on the game.' Another—since deleted—claimed officers would be 'suited and booted, ready to provide security for the first round of games.' Given the intensity of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigrants, 's participation has caused consternation and fear that the event could be unsafe for immigrants. NBC News also reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sent a statement saying it would also be part of the tournament's security team, and advised that 'all non-American citizens need to carry proof of their legal status.' Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz tried to quell fears, stating that her office would lead stadium security, emphasizing that immigration enforcement is not a priority during the event. 'We are in charge of security at the stadium for the Club World Cup,' Cordero-Stutz said to CBS. 'While we're working with our state and local partners, that is not our priority that day.' A sheriff's office spokesperson said that they are working in collaboration with Hard Rock Stadium security. However, it is unclear in what capacity CBP and ICE are collaborating. CBP at major events The involvement of CBP in major sporting events is not uncommon. In February, they were touting their participation in security for this year's super bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chief in New Orleans. A press release said that 100 Border Patrol agents, CBP officers, Air and Marine Operations agents had been involved in security measures leading up to and during the big game. The scope of their work is described as patrolling the Mississippi River, X-ray examinations of food, drink and merchandise trucks that entered the venue area, air sorties as well as deploying several units to support local, state and federal law enforcement. They have a similar press release about their participation in security for Super Bowl LIV in 2020, which took place at the Hard Rock Stadium. Juan Perez, a former Miami-Dade police director, said concerts and games large enough to merit a special federal security designation — like a Super Bowl— will see federal law enforcement officers deployed around a stadium. 'It's not unusual for ICE to work major sporting events,' he said. 'It's not unusual to bring in agents to help.' The Miami Herald requested clarification from both CBP and ICE regarding the scope of their involvement in the tournament. A CBP spokesperson suggested that public concerns stemmed from a 'misunderstanding,' but declined to elaborate. A formal statement, originally promised, has not yet been released. When the Herald asked ICE to clarify what it meant by advising that 'all non-American citizens need to carry proof of their legal status' as part of security measures, an ICE spokesperson responded in a statement: 'As is customary for an event of this magnitude with national security implications, ICE will be working alongside our Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice partners to help ensure the safety and security of the event.' Not another Copa The Club World Cup is considered a dress rehearsal for Miami's participation in next year's FIFA World Cup and a chance to show that Miami has the security infrastructure to host a big event safely. The chaotic scenes at last year's Copa América final at Hard Rock Stadium have only heightened concerns around security for the Club World Cup. During the July 2024 the tournament final's between Argentina and Colombia, thousands of fans overwhelmed stadium entry points—jumping over barricades, bypassing security checks, and clashing with police. The chaos endangered the safety of spectators, players, and referees, ultimately forcing officials to delay the game 80 minutes. According to reports at the time, 55 people were ejected from the venue and 27 were arrested. Nearly 800 police officers were there, which is quadruple what they deploy for Dolphins games and close to Super Bowl numbers, reported the Miami Herald at the time. However, Saturday's match may not draw the same crowds as last year's Copa América final. According to Sports Illustrated, FIFA was forced to slash ticket prices for the opening fixture of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup due to sluggish sales. After the tournament draw in December, the cheapest seats were priced at $349. That figure dropped to $230 the following month, then to around $110—and as of early June, tickets have fallen to as low as $55 for fans hoping to see Inter Miami face Egypt's Al-Ahly on Saturday, June 14. Hostile environment While the presence of federal agents at major sporting events like the Super Bowl is not unusual, the political climate has dramatically shifted. For many immigrant advocates, CBP's tone and visibility suggest something more than routine security measures. Thomas Kennedy, an immigration advocate with the Florida Immigrant Coalition, said the rhetoric is troubling. Although checking legal status for every attendee would be logistically difficult, he said, the mere suggestion that non-citizens should carry proof of legal status could be enough to deter participation. 'Detentions have clearly increased, and there's such a hostile immigration enforcement environment right now,' Kennedy said. 'It's not just Miami—international fans with valid visas could feel intimidated. There are real financial and emotional consequences.' He added: 'I'd be worried and disturbed if I were going to the games,' Kennedy said. 'If I didn't have status, I would probably stay away altogether.' FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who oversaw the 2022 tournament in Qatar, said they are prepared to create a safe environment at the matches. 'The most important thing for us is to guarantee security for fans who come to the games,' he said. 'Nobody should think they can come to a game and create problems. We want everyone to have a good time.' At a press event Wednesday at the Pérez Art Museum, marking the one-year countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will include seven matches in Miami, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava was asked whether fears of immigration enforcement might deter fans from attending. 'I'm not the sheriff, I'm not a police officer, and I'm focusing on how the games are going to continue for the protection of everyone,' she told the Herald. 'We want to focus on the well-being and safety of all participants. That's my priority.' Miami Herald staff writer Vivienne Serret, Douglas Hanks, and Michelle Kaufman contributed to this story.

Miami Marlins join efforts to restore defaced Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso mural in Overtown
Miami Marlins join efforts to restore defaced Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso mural in Overtown

CBS News

time4 hours ago

  • CBS News

Miami Marlins join efforts to restore defaced Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso mural in Overtown

The Miami Marlins are joining efforts to restore the defaced mural of baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso in Miami's Overtown neighborhood, which was marked with racist graffiti last week. City of Miami Chairwoman Christine King announced Wednesday that she along with the Marlins, Urgent, Inc., Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency and other community activists will lead the restoration at Dorsey Park, where community leaders said a 7-year-old boy first discovered the vandalism last Sunday and asked his mother what the words and the Nazi symbols meant. Murals of baseball legends Minnie Miñoso, second from left, and Jackie Robinson, third from left, are covered with plywood after being defaced in Miami's Overtown neighborhood, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Miami. Lynne Sladky / AP "This vile assault was an attack on our values, history, and community," King said in a statement. "We are actively working with law enforcement and the public to identify the individual(s) responsible for this intolerable act. However, even in the darkest hours, light finds its way to shine. This is a reminder and testament to the strength of our community, coming together to restore peace, beauty, and pride to this neighborhood." Police were investigating the incident but have not made any arrests. City workers have since partially covered the murals of Robinson and Miñoso, an Afro-Cuban player, with wooden boards. The murals are along a fence at Dorsey Park, where Negro League teams once played baseball. The Marlins' home ballpark loanDepot park is just a few miles from the park. "In light of the deeply troubling acts of vandalism at Dorsey Park, the Miami Marlins today proudly stand in solidarity with the City of Miami Chairwoman Christine King, and our local leaders in unequivocally condemning this hateful and racist act," said Marlins owner Bruce Sherman. "Dorsey Park is not only a landmark of historical and cultural significance in South Florida — it is a powerful symbol of resilience, pride, and the enduring contributions of trailblazers to the game of baseball." Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 to become the first Black player. Miñoso became the league's first Afro-Latino player and the first Black player for the Chicago White Sox. The murals have been displayed in the park since 2011 and are a collaboration between artists Kyle Holbrook and Kadir Nelson and various community groups.

Miami Marlins join efforts to restore defaced Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso mural
Miami Marlins join efforts to restore defaced Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso mural

Associated Press

time6 hours ago

  • Associated Press

Miami Marlins join efforts to restore defaced Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso mural

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins are joining efforts to restore the defaced mural of baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso in Miami's Overtown neighborhood, which was marked with racist graffiti last week. City of Miami Chairwoman Christine King announced Wednesday that she along with the Marlins, Urgent, Inc., Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency and other community activists will lead the restoration at Dorsey Park, where community leaders said a 7-year-old boy first discovered the vandalism last Sunday and asked his mother what the words and the Nazi symbols meant. 'This vile assault was an attack on our values, history, and community,' King said in a statement. 'We are actively working with law enforcement and the public to identify the individual(s) responsible for this intolerable act. However, even in the darkest hours, light finds its way to shine. This is a reminder and testament to the strength of our community, coming together to restore peace, beauty, and pride to this neighborhood.' Police were investigating the incident but have not made any arrests. City workers have since partially covered the murals of Robinson and Miñoso, an Afro-Cuban player, with wooden boards. The murals are along a fence at Dorsey Park, where Negro League teams once played baseball. The Marlins' home ballpark loanDepot park is just a few miles from the park. 'In light of the deeply troubling acts of vandalism at Dorsey Park, the Miami Marlins today proudly stand in solidarity with the City of Miami Chairwoman Christine King, and our local leaders in unequivocally condemning this hateful and racist act,' said Marlins owner Bruce Sherman. 'Dorsey Park is not only a landmark of historical and cultural significance in South Florida — it is a powerful symbol of resilience, pride, and the enduring contributions of trailblazers to the game of baseball.' Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 to become the first Black player. Miñoso became the league's first Afro-Latino player and the first Black player for the Chicago White Sox. The murals have been displayed in the park since 2011 and are a collaboration between artists Kyle Holbrook and Kadir Nelson and various community groups. ___ AP MLB:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store