Family of 9-year-old boy killed by stray bullet in Florida City sues apartment complex

Yahoo

23-04-2025

On the night of Nov. 16, 9-year-old Antavious Scott was outside playing football with a group of friends at the Southpoint Crossing apartment complex in Florida City when a hail of shots rang out.
As the gunfire quieted along West Lucy Street, Antavious was lying on the ground, shot in the back. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue paramedics airlifted him to HCA Kendall Hospital, where he died.
The area surrounding Southpoint Crossing can be dangerous with gang activity. There were four shootings in the vicinity of the housing complex the week before Antavious — called TayTay by family and friends — was killed.
READ MORE: 'He should be alive.' Family, friends mourn death of 9-year-old boy in Florida City
Yet, the gate to drive into Southpoint Crossing remains stuck open to this day. It was designed to only open when residents punch a number into the call box.
Additionally, there are no security patrols that could keep an eye out for who's coming in and out or to notify police if trouble is brewing.
The lack of security measures prompted Antavious' family, including his mother, Shanika Williams and grandmother Teretha Williams, to sue the owners of Southpoint Crossing — Boston, Massachusetts-based Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc., known as POAH.
The negligence, wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Miami-Dade County court Monday, and the family held a press conference Tuesday morning with their lawyer, Miami crime victim attorney Michael Haggard of the Haggard Law Firm, in a field across the street from Southpoint Crossing.
'If there had been security, my grandson would be here today,' Teretha Williams said.
Haggard told reporters that POAH is a large company, managing 14,000 apartments nationwide, with 22,000 residential renters. That means it can afford to pay for security, especially in buildings located in high-crime areas.
'Had they provided proper security, this wouldn't have happened,' Haggard told reporters. 'Believe me, they have the resources.'
READ MORE: A 9-year-old boy was shot and killed in Florida City, and a teen has been arrested
Emphasizing the senselessness of a 9-year-old child dying in a barrage of bullets likely meant for someone else, Haggard recalled coaching youth football for a decade in Miami-Dade, mentoring many boys Antavious' age.
'I have coached hundreds of TayTays,' Haggard said, noting, 'not only was he taken from this family, but taken from the community.'
The homicide investigation surrounding Antavious' death is being handled by Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office detectives, who conduct homicide investigations for several small municipalities located in the county, like Florida City.
They arrested 20-year-old Montreal Santovae Jackson, Jr. in February and charged him with second-degree murder.
Detectives say Jackson and another man are seen on security camera footage casing out Southpoint Crossing while armed. The footage then shows them driving into the area in a 2015 Volkswagen sedan, walking into an open field from where detectives say the bullets were fired, and subsequently running toward their car, according to Jackson's arrest report.
Investigators found several bullet casings from both .40 caliber and 9mm handguns in the field, according to their report.
Detectives have not arrested the man they say was Jackson's accomplice. Jackson remains in Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on no bond pending trial.
Shanika was was red-eyed from crying during the press conference. Remembering Antavious, she recalled the innocent pursuits of youth he too enjoyed.
'Antavious meant the world to me. He was my everything. My baby loved to play football,' she said. 'To play video games.'
Teretha Williams said the loss of Antavious is something the family will never get over and are still struggling with six months later.
'It's hard to live my life and watch my daughter in this situation,' she said. 'I don't have the words to say to my daughter.'
When reached Tuesday about the lawsuit, Maria Plati, senior communications director for POAH, said the company could not comment on the case.
'We are deeply saddened by the loss of Antavious and extend our heartfelt condolences to his mother, Shanika Williams, and other family members. Due to the pending litigation involving this tragic incident, at the moment, we cannot offer comments on this matter or the public claims made by Antavious Scott's family and their attorney during today's press conference.'