Police Identify Victim In Thursday's Brazen Afternoon Attack

OPA-LOCKA, FL — Miami-Dade police identified the person killed in Thursday's brazen afternoon attack as 26-six-year-old Jarvis Alexander Rivers of the 2500 block of NW 156 Street in Miami Gardens. Rivers was killed in a hail of gunfire as he was riding in a white Nissan Maxima Thursday afternoon with another man. The second victim was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center.

"The decedent ... has been positively identified and next of kin has been notified," explained Detective Lee Cowart of the Miami-Dade Police Department Friday afternoon. Cowart told Patch that he did not know whether Rivers was driving the Nissan or a passenger at the time of the attack. Police towed the car to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office with the victim still inside.

The shooting took place shortly before 3:30 p.m. at NW 27 Avenue and Ali-Baba Avenue, according to Cowart. Miami-Dade police are heading up the investigation at the request of the Opa-Locka Police Department.

It was not clear whether any weapons were inside the Nissan at the time of the attack.

Opa-Locka police initially received a report of a man laying in the street. "Upon the officers' arrival, they discovered one victim lying on the street and a second victim in a Nissan, both of whom were suffering from apparent gunshot wounds," Cowart said.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue pronounced Rivers dead inside the Nissan.

"The Nissan was traveling southbound on NW 27 Avenue approaching the intersection of Ali-Baba Avenue when shots were fired into the vehicle striking both victims," Cowart explained. "The subject fled the area and remains at large."

The other victim was not immediately identified by police.

To report a tip, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866-471-8477, visit crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip" or text "CSMD" followed by the tip to 274637.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano