On May 16, 2024, a shooting in the 5800 block of McKinley Street in Hollywood, Florida, left 15-year-old Alex Wierzba dead and his 21-year-old brother Richard critically injured. Police and Fire Rescue units responded to a call about a shooting around 4:25 p.m. and found the brothers and their 53-year-old uncle, Tony Wierzba, suffering from gunshot wounds. Tony Wierzba was pronounced dead at the scene after apparently turning the gun on himself; Alex and Richard were taken to Memorial Regional Hospital.

Initial reports say Alex was placed on life support with no brain activity and that his grandmother, Tina Wierzba, made the decision to remove life support. Richard was listed in critical condition and was hopeful for recovery. Family and neighbors described Tony as laid-back but stressed and expressed shock that he would commit such an act. Police are interviewing witnesses and continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the shootings.

If anyone has information about what happened that afternoon or knew the Wierzba family, please share details with investigators.