Thirteen-year-old George Harris Jr of Miami Gardens died after an apparent accidental shooting on January 13, 2024. George was at a friend’s home on Northwest 207th Street near 38th Avenue playing video games with several other teens when, according to police, the children began handling a firearm that discharged and struck George in the back of the head. He was found by Miami Gardens officers around 7:40 p.m., airlifted to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood in critical condition, and died several hours later.

George was a member of the Liberty City Warriors youth football team and was remembered by coaches, teammates, family, and teachers as kind, charismatic, and respectful. A vigil was held January 17 at Charles Hadley Park where loved ones gathered with black and gold balloons in his honor.

If anyone has information about the circumstances of this shooting or who was present that evening, please share what you know.