FLORIDA CITY, Florida — A quiet home on Northwest First Court turned into a place of heartbreak when five-year-old Janova Park was shot inside early Wednesday morning.
The incident happened around 2 a.m., when Florida City police officers were called to the residence after reports of a shooting. Inside, they found the child suffering from serious gunshot wounds to her stomach and torso.
She was rushed to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital. Medical teams tried everything they could, but she did not survive her injuries.
Family members identified the young girl as Janova Park. She had been inside the home with her 4-year-old brother and three adults at the time of the shooting.
Investigators later confirmed that a firearm was recovered inside the residence. However, they have not determined exactly how the shooting happened or whether the child may have come into contact with the weapon.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said detectives are still working through the early stages of the investigation. No conclusions have been made about responsibility.
In the middle of it all, the family is left with grief that is hard to put into words. Janova’s grandmother, Laticha Ellison, said the tragedy should never have happened inside a child’s home.
“I’m angry because this should have been prevented,” she said through tears. “She’s only five. This should not be life for a child.”
