Teen killed by stray bullet in shooting over chain

NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Authorities are searching for those responsible for the death of a teenager after a stray bullet hit him following the shooting and injuring of another man over a gold chain.

Late Tuesday night, 17-year-old Gerald Daniels suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest in what Miami-Dade Police think may have been an accident, as he was not the intended target.

Police said 51-year-old Woodrow Walker was the target of the two gun-wielding thugs who were after his gold chain. Walker thought he heard someone breaking into his vehicle outside his apartment along Northwest 52nd Street and 27th Avenue, shortly after 11 p.m. When he left his home to investigate the noise, the pair confronted him and proceeded to rip his jewelry from his neck before shooting him in the stomach.

The following afternoon, Walker was in stable condition at the hospital. But Daniels would not be so lucky. Police said Daniels ran one block before he fell and died. "They said the only reason he was able to run was because of the adrenaline," said Daniels' mother, Tarolyn Perry. "They said he was dead when the bullet hit him."

Meanwhile, neighbors said Walker made it back to his unit under his own power before collapsing inside. Paramedics transported Walker to the hospital in critical condition, at the time.

According to Walker's neighbor, the victim lived the life of a model citizen. "He's a nice guy. He goes to church every Sunday; he worked all the time," said Frank Roberts. "That's all he did: work and go to church every Sunday. He didn't mess with anybody. He [usually] had his daughter and girlfriend with him."

Daniels' family and loved ones are now left to mourn their loss and plead for some help leading to the arrests of those responsible. "I wouldn't wish this on anybody's child, not even the person who did this. I miss my baby," said Perry. "I just talked to him last night. He asked me, 'Mom, what are you cooking? I told him, 'quiche.' He said, 'I want my own pie.'"

"Whoever did this to my brother, they took an innocent boy's life," said sister Precious King. "I just can't even explain how sad I am. My brother was very, very good."

A heartbroken Dricka Wright wants justice for her boyfriend's murder. "He was my everything," she explained tearfully. "They took half of me away; he's my other half. I just want them to be caught."

A friend of Daniels made a plea directly to those responsible. "If you're out there, just turn yourself in," she said.

Homicide detectives returned to the scene early Wednesday to gather more information on the suspects but did not glean much information from the community.

Police have little to go on. All they have is that they are looking for two young men. If you have any information that can help police catch theses men, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

(Copyright 2009 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)