A 3-year-old Florida boy died after being hit by a bullet during an apparent drive-by shooting at a Fort Lauderdale park. Rylo Yancy was reportedly attending a birthday party on July 21 at Riverland Park when the shooting occurred. Multiple witnesses called 911 to report the shooting and beg for help. Rylo was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and did not survive.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department confirmed in a news release that a shooter opened fire at the park. After receiving multiple calls, the police responded and immediately began their search for the suspects, who had fled the area. The investigation is active, and police want answers.
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Parents grabbed their children as shots rang out.
According to WSVN, a vehicle approached the park around 4:30 p.m., and someone inside began to shoot. Parents reportedly grabbed their children and took cover, but Rylo was struck by gunfire while on a slide at the playground.
Neighbor Lillie Charles, told the news station she was shocked. "My heart has been broken to see this and hear about a child, an innocent child, that knows nothing about nothing. Just enjoying a birthday party and then all of a sudden this happens and I feel so bad for the parents," she said.
The aftermath of the shooting appeared somber.
WSVN visited the park after the shooting and reported seeing personal belongings and shoes left behind by those running away, hoping to stay safe. The station obtained a 911 recording from the day of the shooting with a woman's voice saying, "I need an ambulance at Riverland Park. My baby just got shot. We're at Riverland."
Neighbors called for an end to violence.
Joan Goodie, who previously lost a child to a violent stabbing, told WSNV the shooting hit close to home.
"Be strong and trust God," she said. "If you don't know God because he is the only one that can take this pain away from you. So I understand what she is going through."
The grieving mother added, "It just breaks my heart. It put me back in a place where I don't want to go."
Loved ones shared tributes to Rylo on Instagram.
A woman who posts as @thegirldej_, shared a picture of herself and Rylo and many shared kind words.
"I'm so sorry !" someone wrote. "This hit hard as a mother. That baby did not deserve that ! I'm praying for your healing & for god to just wrap his arms around you in this hard time. he's with you every step of the way."
" my condolences and prayers goes out to you and your family," another person commented.
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Fort Lauderdale police need the public's help.
Per the news release, police were able to identify a vehicle involved in the shooting, but they have not released the name of a suspect, and no arrests have been made.
"The investigation remains on-going, and detectives are urging anyone with information about this incident or the suspects responsible to contact Detective Juan Rodriguez at 954-828-6673, the Homicide Tipline at 954-828-6677, or remain anonymous by contacting Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS," the release reads.
