Alana Washington, a 7-year-old girl from Miami, Florida, tragically lost her life on July 25, 2020, in a drive-by shooting. The incident occurred in the Brownsville neighborhood, where Alana was struck by a bullet while getting out of a car in front of her home. The shooting took place just after 8 p.m. as Alana and her family returned from a trip to a flea market. The car she was in was followed by a gray Nissan Altima, from which more than two dozen rounds were fired.
Alana was hit in the head and was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she was taken off life support two days later. The shooting also wounded three other people, including a 1-year-old child.
The investigation into Alana's death led to the arrest of two men, Antonio Robinson, 22, and Jarvis Baker-Flanders, 23. Both men were charged with second-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Robinson was arrested in Miami-Dade and was held without bond, while Baker-Flanders was arrested in Georgia and awaited extradition to South Florida. According to law enforcement, the suspects followed Alana's family home from the flea market, targeting her brother over a grievance. Surveillance footage and anonymous tips played a crucial role in identifying and apprehending the suspects.
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle described the shooting as a senseless act intended to settle a score. She emphasized that Alana's death was not in vain, as the community and authorities worked tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice. The case highlighted the devastating impact of gun violence on innocent lives and the importance of community cooperation in solving such crimes. The arrests of Robinson and Baker-Flanders brought some measure of closure to Alana's grieving family, who continue to mourn the loss of their beloved daughter.
