Waldo Decoste, a 29-year-old Black male, was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting on November 20, 2018, in Miami Shores, Florida. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. when Decoste was sitting inside his car near Northwest 111th Terrace and Second Avenue. An unknown assailant or assailants pulled up and opened fire, striking Decoste multiple times. He was initially rushed to Miami Shores Hospital and later transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital due to the severity of his injuries.
Despite medical efforts, Decoste succumbed to his wounds.
The Miami Shores Police Department, along with Miami-Dade Police, launched an investigation into the shooting, which they described as potentially gang-related. The authorities have not yet determined a clear motive for the attack and continue to seek information from the public to identify the shooter or shooters involved. Decoste's father, Jean Francois Decoste, expressed his grief and confusion over the senseless act of violence, urging anyone with information to come forward.
In addition to the criminal investigation, there have been legal proceedings related to Decoste's death. On September 6, 2019, Paulette Smalling filed a family lawsuit against the deceased Waldo Decoste in Miami-Dade County Courts. The case, which involves matters of child custody and DNA testing, remains pending. The court has held several hearings to address motions related to the release of Decoste's blood sample for DNA testing, indicating ongoing legal complexities following his death.
