Ralph Hemingway III, a 16-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on May 18, 2015, in Miami, Florida. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. in the Liberty City community, specifically in the area of Northwest 8th Avenue and Northwest 77th Street. Ralph was outside his home, talking with his stepfather, when they noticed a car repeatedly passing by. Suddenly, gunshots rang out from the vehicle.
Ralph attempted to flee, running beside the house and hopping a fence, but he was struck in the chest and succumbed to his injuries before paramedics could arrive.
Ralph was a bright and ambitious teenager, known for his love of school and football. He played for a local league, taking on multiple positions, including quarterback, offensive line, and defensive line. His mother, Tesia Hunter, recalled that Ralph had been holding a football since he was one year old and had dreams of playing professionally. His death occurred just before his graduation ceremony, where he was set to graduate earlier than expected due to his strong academic performance.
The investigation into Ralph's murder has been challenging for law enforcement. Miami-Dade Police have been seeking the public's help in solving the case, offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to an arrest. Despite these efforts, no arrests have been made, and the case remains unsolved. The drive-by shooting that claimed Ralph's life happened about an hour and a half after another shooting in the same community, where five men were shot, and 15-year-old Joewuan Coles was killed. Police have not confirmed if the two incidents are related.
Ralph's family and the community continue to seek justice for his untimely death. Organizations like Project: Cold Case have been instrumental in providing advocacy and support to families of unsolved homicide victims, including Ralph's family. They promote awareness for individual cases and educate the public on the struggles of living with an unsolved case. The hope remains that someone with information will come forward to help bring closure to Ralph's family and ensure that justice is served.
