Deputies say a 15-year-old was hit as he walked with a friend near Southwest 152nd Avenue.
MIAMI, Fla. — Detectives in Miami-Dade County are combing through camera footage and witness statements after a drive-by shooting wounded a 15-year-old boy in West Kendall, an attack investigators called a violent crime against children. Two teens were arrested as the injured boy remained hospitalized and recovering.
The shooting, reported about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, unfolded along neighborhood streets lined with townhomes and small parks, according to authorities and residents who described the aftermath. The case matters beyond the arrests because investigators still have not explained why the shots were fired, whether the boys were targeted, and whether anyone else was involved. Deputies said the investigation remains active as they continue to identify witnesses, confirm a motive and review additional video.
Authorities said the 15-year-old and a 16-year-old friend were walking near Southwest 152nd Avenue and the Southwest 70s to 80th Street area when a vehicle approached. What happened next was fast and chaotic. Deputies said someone inside the vehicle opened fire, hitting the 15-year-old multiple times while his friend was not struck. The uninjured teen helped the victim get away from the roadway and called 911, investigators said. The wounded teen was transported to a nearby hospital, where officials later said he was in critical condition but expected to survive.
Neighbors described hearing what sounded like a burst of gunfire and then seeing deputies flood the area. Some residents said they did not realize how close the violence was until they saw crime scene tape and police vehicles. Ring-camera audio obtained by a local station captured what sounded like eight shots in quick succession around the time investigators said the shooting happened. One neighbor said she heard rapid pops, then sirens. Another resident said the scene looked like a sudden lockdown, with streets partially blocked and deputies searching yards and sidewalks for evidence.
Detectives said they faced early challenges typical in a drive-by case: the shooter’s vehicle can be gone within seconds, and witnesses may only see a blur. Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Detective Samantha Choon said investigators initially did not have enough reliable information to release a full description of the vehicle or the people inside it. She said the goal was to develop leads and review nearby cameras. “We don’t have any information regarding the subject vehicle or the subjects within that vehicle,” Choon said during the early stage of the investigation.
Investigators later said they obtained key footage that helped them make arrests. In arrest reports, deputies said dashboard-camera video showed the teens on foot arguing with the occupants of a black Honda sedan. Investigators said the video then captured an arm from the front passenger side reaching out of the window holding a dark firearm and firing multiple times. The car drove away immediately afterward, deputies said. The 15-year-old victim was later identified as Eydam Ramos. Authorities said he was struck in the shoulder and ankle, while the 16-year-old walking with him was unharmed.
Deputies announced Thursday that a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old were arrested in connection with the shooting. Because the suspects are minors, authorities did not release their identities. The 16-year-old faced charges that included attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, improper exhibition of a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a minor, officials said. The 17-year-old faced attempted second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a firearm. Deputies did not describe the suspects’ prior history, and they did not say whether they had lawyers or had made statements to investigators.
The arrests did not end the questions driving the investigation. Deputies said they are still trying to determine whether Ramos and his friend were targeted or whether the shooting grew out of a brief argument that escalated without warning. Authorities have not said what sparked the confrontation seen on video, how long it lasted, or whether words were exchanged earlier in the day. Investigators also have not said whether any additional occupants were inside the black sedan, whether the gun used was recovered, or whether forensic testing has linked a weapon to shell casings found near the scene.
Residents described the neighborhood as a place where kids often walk, ride bikes and visit parks, which added to the shock. Arturo Narciandi, a local resident, said he was about to take his young child to a park when he saw emergency lights and tape. He said he later learned neighbors had heard multiple shots. He said the incident left him wary about routine trips outside. “I am very scared even to go to the park now,” he said, describing concerns that timing alone can put families in danger when gunfire erupts on a public street.
Deputies also investigated activity in another part of the neighborhood Thursday, as residents reported law enforcement outside a townhome in the Kendall Square area. A resident told a TV crew that undercover officers approached him and said they were looking for a teen connected to the shooting. Officials did not provide details about what they found there, but authorities said arrests had been made and the investigation continued.
The legal process now shifts toward hearings and decisions about detention as prosecutors weigh how to proceed with serious felony charges against minors. Authorities did not announce specific court dates in their public statements. Investigators said they continue to seek additional witnesses who may have seen the black sedan before or after the shooting, as well as any residents whose cameras may have captured the vehicle’s path through the area. Deputies asked anyone with information to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers as they work to clarify motive and identify any remaining suspects.
Author note: Last updated February 20, 2026.