Latest news with #FortLauderdalePoliceDepartment
Miami Herald
24-06-2025
- Miami Herald
Teen critical after Fort Lauderdale shooting was biding Army friend goodbye, mom says
A small gathering to say goodbye to a young woman in the Army who was about to be deployed ended in gunfire early Sunday morning in Fort Lauderdale. Three people were shot after two masked robbers approached them, and one teen remains hospitalized, his mother told the Miami Herald Monday evening. Richard Murray II, a 19-year-old business and finance student at Florida Atlantic University, was injured after three people were shot on the top floor of a parking garage on the 200 block of Las Olas Circle, his mother, Celeste Thompson, said. He remains in critical condition at Broward Health Medical Center. Murray, who was shot twice, was struck by gunfire in the leg, but the bullet traveled upward and caused damage to his stomach, Thompson said. He is having his third surgery on Tuesday morning. Thompson, who is a middle school teacher, said that her son is a student-athlete who racked up numerous academic accolades in high school. He played football, graduated with a 5.0 GPA and aspires to one day open a finance company that makes it on the Fortune 500 rankings. 'He was full of life,' she said. 'I need him to come back.' Murray and his friends were listening to music and looking over Las Olas from the parking garage, Thompson said, when multiple people approached them. Thompson said the assailants were masked and were attempting to rob the group. Thompson also told the Herald that she was contacted by a police detective for the first time on Monday. The shooting occurred hours before the Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup parade on the beach. 'It's disheartening,' she said. 'It felt like [it wasn't] not important to anyone but me.... A parade shouldn't supersede what's happening in our backyard.' Authorities haven't released the identities or conditions of those injured. Thompson said the two other injured people were her son's friends and have since been released from the hospital. Investigators haven't made any arrests, and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department told the Herald it didn't have any new information about the shooting as of Monday evening. Thompson pleaded with anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. 'Someone had to see something,' Thompson said. 'They have to find these people. We need to know why.' Anyone with information about the shooting should contact Fort Lauderdale Police Department at 954-828-5700 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘I'm in the water.' 911 calls reveal moments after deadly Broward boat explosion
A flurry of newly released 911 calls shed light on a chaotic and fatal boat explosion off Fort Lauderdale on Memorial Day. Some callers witnessed watching the blast from the shore; others were in the water screaming for help. On May 26, a 39-foot Sea Ray burst into flames in the Intracoastal Waterway, near the large sandbar by the New River. Fourteen people were aboard, but only eleven people — including two young children — were hospitalized with injuries. Some were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn unit in Miami, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said. READ MORE: Boat explodes off the beach in Fort Lauderdale, fire-rescue says Among the injured, Joshua Fifi, a 29-year-old who lived in Fort Lauderdale, died from his injuries. One of the first 911 callers witnessed the blast from the Lauderdale Yacht Club and described the loud explosion, followed by flames and billowing smoke, according to the latest release from Fort Lauderdale Police Department. 'These people flew off the boat,' he said in the call. 'I just saw these people panicking and in the water.' Another caller on a different vessel reported that people were jumping off the sinking boat to the dispatcher. She also began screaming over to them, 'Get off the boat!' One call began with screams and crying, followed by a woman desperately telling dispatchers, 'I'm in the water.' The woman continued to say there was a 'marine emergency' as a boat was on fire. Of those on board, she said there was a passed-out passenger and a pet. 'We're all separated,' she said, adding that nearby boaters were helping them as several people had been burned. 'We have kids on board.'
Miami Herald
04-06-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
‘I'm in the water.' 911 calls reveal moments after deadly Broward boat explosion
A flurry of newly released 911 calls shed light on a chaotic and fatal boat explosion off Fort Lauderdale on Memorial Day. Some callers witnessed watching the blast from the shore; others were in the water screaming for help. On May 26, a 39-foot Sea Ray burst into flames in the Intracoastal Waterway, near the large sandbar by the New River. Fourteen people were aboard, but only eleven people — including two young children — were hospitalized with injuries. Some were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn unit in Miami, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said. READ MORE: Boat explodes off the beach in Fort Lauderdale, fire-rescue says Among the injured, Joshua Fifi, a 29-year-old who lived in Fort Lauderdale, died from his injuries. One of the first 911 callers witnessed the blast from the Lauderdale Yacht Club and described the loud explosion, followed by flames and billowing smoke, according to the latest release from Fort Lauderdale Police Department. 'These people flew off the boat,' he said in the call. 'I just saw these people panicking and in the water.' Another caller on a different vessel reported that people were jumping off the sinking boat to the dispatcher. She also began screaming over to them, 'Get off the boat!' One call began with screams and crying, followed by a woman desperately telling dispatchers, 'I'm in the water.' The woman continued to say there was a 'marine emergency' as a boat was on fire. Of those on board, she said there was a passed-out passenger and a pet. 'We're all separated,' she said, adding that nearby boaters were helping them as several people had been burned. 'We have kids on board.'
CBS News
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Tortuga Music Festival organizers make final security and safety preparations ahead of event
On Fort Lauderdale Beach, final preparations are underway ahead of this weekend's Tortuga Music Festival, where tens of thousands of people will pack the sand to check out some of the biggest names in music. They're getting the stages ready for some star power, rolling and finishing the last-minute details. At the same time, vendors are getting prepared with food options. Festival organizers are expecting some 100,000 people over the next three days. "We're starting to prep our chicken, peppers, onions, lettuce — just getting ready for tomorrow," said Cameron Wright. With large crowds expected, police are concerned about pickpockets. "Keep your phone and valuables secured in your front pockets," said Sgt. Patrick O'Brien of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. "Zip bags are carried in the front of your body, like a cross-body bag. Leave any expensive jewelry at home." Tortuga organizers said aside from police, there will be hundreds of security personnel and a special number to call if something seems off. "We have a 'see something, say something' number we have posted on all the screens [and] it's available on our app," said festival founder Chris Stacey. "If they see anything that's out of place, let us know and we'll take care of it." Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue is reminding people that heat, sun and alcohol can sneak up on you. "We always recommend sunscreen, hats, and definitely light-weight clothing," said Battalion Chief Kimberly Wells. "Don't let the breeze fool you into the amount of heat you're taking in throughout the day." There will also be shade zones, misting stations and free water to those with a reusable bottle.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Florida spring break: Fort Lauderdale welcomes partiers as state sends more police to vacation hot spots
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is taking a different approach to spring break messaging than its southern neighbor, Miami Beach. Miami Beach police launched a reality TV-themed ad campaign in mid-February encouraging spring breakers to avoid the area after police saw increased violence during spring break beginning in about 2020. Things began to turn around in 2024 as the city bolstered law enforcement and made hundreds of arrests. The City of Fort Lauderdale launched a similar reality TV-themed ad on Feb. 26 telling spring break tourists to "know the rules" and "enjoy our city responsibly." Here's How Miami Beach Successfully Broke Up With Spring Break WATCH: Fort Lauderdale releases reality TV-themed spring break ad "Come for the fun, but remember to play by the rules. Love may be blind, but we'll be watching," Fort Lauderdale Police Department Chief William Schultz says in the "Love is Blind"-themed video. Read On The Fox News App The two ads show the two departments' different approaches to spring break—Miami Beach is telling spring breakers to skip the vacation destination entirely while Fort Lauderdale is encouraging them to come as long as they follow the city's rules. Rules include restrictions on alcohol, coolers, tents, tables, electric scooters and live or amplified music in certain areas. Police In Fort Lauderdale Report Surge Of Spring Breakers Amid Miami Beach Crackdown The city said there will be "increased enforcement" in certain areas and during specific times of the day, as well as a beach cleanup every day at 5:30 p.m. "Our city is known for its beautiful beaches, great weather, and exciting atmosphere, and we want everyone — residents and guests alike — to have a safe and enjoyable time," Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said in a Feb. 26 statement. "Know the Rules: To maintain a fun and respectful environment, extra restrictions are in effect until April 12." Miami Beach Spring Break Restrictions Proved To Be 'Huge Success' For Residents And Businesses Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, meanwhile, called this year "a reality check," saying the city's ad campaign shows "what is going to happen if you come here, and you don't play by our rules." Miami Beach's similar ad campaign in 2024 resulted in smaller-than-usual crowd sizes and less violence. Police Chief Wayne Jones said that arrests citywide went down 8% by March 17, 2024, compared to March 2023. Miami Beach Spring Breakers Hit With Extended Curfew After Swat Team Called Gov. Ron Desantis noted during a Friday press conference that spring break in Miami saw wild crowds beginning around 2020, when people escaped to Florida during the coronavirus pandemic because its businesses and public areas remained open while other states were still shut down. "We were thankful for that. Honestly, a lot of businesses came here and never went back. People came here and never went back because they appreciated the quality of life," DeSantis said, "but it also got out of control." The governor added that he is directing state law enforcement to provide additional personnel and assets to Miami Beach and other spring break hot spots over the coming article source: Florida spring break: Fort Lauderdale welcomes partiers as state sends more police to vacation hot spots
