Jose Velez-Gomez, a 16-year-old from Miami, Florida, tragically lost his life on December 27, 2017. He was fatally shot in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami. The incident occurred near Northeast Miami Place and 57th Street. Jose, affectionately known as "Chillito" by his friends and family, was working towards earning his GED at the time of his death.
His family described him as a loving and happy individual who brought joy to those around him.
On the night of the shooting, neighbors reported hearing gunshots, and one neighbor, Eduardo Gutierrez, recounted how he was too frightened to look out the window initially. When he finally did, he saw Jose lying face up in his backyard with shell casings nearby. The police arrived shortly after and began their investigation. The family, devastated by the loss, held a memorial where Jose's mother, Wanda Gomez, expressed her deep sorrow and called for justice. She also conveyed a message of forgiveness to the perpetrator, despite the immense pain she felt.
The investigation into Jose's murder has been ongoing. The Miami Police Department has been actively seeking information from the public to solve the case. They have urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community assistance in bringing the perpetrator to justice. Despite the family's pleas and the police's efforts, no arrests have been made, and the case remains unsolved. The family continues to seek closure and justice for Jose, hoping that someone with knowledge of the incident will provide the crucial information needed to solve the case.
