Rabbi Joseph Raksin, a 60-year-old Orthodox rabbi from Brooklyn, New York, was shot and killed on August 9, 2014, while walking to a synagogue in North Miami Beach, Florida. He had been visiting his daughter and was on his way to morning prayers when the attack occurred near 175th Street and NE 8th Court. Observers reported two males fleeing the scene immediately after the shooting. As an observant Orthodox Jew he was not carrying valuables at the time.

More than a year later, in December 2015, a 15-year-old, DeAndre Charles, was arrested on a grand jury indictment and charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery with a firearm; prosecutors planned to try him as an adult. Subsequent developments raised serious doubts about Charles’ involvement: reports indicated he may have been at home with family when the murder happened, a confidential informant named other likely participants, and questions were reported about DNA evidence and a witness sketch. A 2019 lawsuit alleged authorities had evidence of Charles’ innocence but proceeded with charges; the charges were later dropped and Charles was exonerated.

What new leads, witnesses, or evidence might finally resolve who was responsible for Rabbi Raksin’s killing?