Children among injured in Miami

Early morning attack’s youngest victim 11 years old

MIAMI — Fifteen people were wounded in a shooting that sent terrified patrons scrambling from a Miami nightclub early Sunday, police said, adding the youngest victim is 11 years old.

When Miami police and rescue crews arrived at a club called The Spot at about 1 a. m., they said they found chaos among the large throng of adults and teenagers gathered there. Rescuers found wounded people inside and outside the club, reporting some were too hurt to flee. At least one person was reported in critical condition.

Some people were running, “people were screaming, people were saying they were shot,” Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll told The Associated Press.

One male was found unresponsive and not breathing when emergency responders arrived. Five girls between 11 and 17 years of age also suffered gunshot wounds, Carroll said.

“The investigators are still interviewing witnesses. They’re going from hospital to hospital,” police spokeswoman Frederica Burden told The Associated Press.

She said it wasn’t clear who or how many fired weapons and what prompted the gunfire.

“What was very surprising to the responders was that these were kids that were out at 1 o’clock in the morning in a club and this type of violence took place where a bunch of kids were gathering ... it’s very disturbing to see that,” Carroll said.

At least three of those hurt were transferred to a pediatric unit.

A spokeswoman for Jackson Memorial Hospital said she did not have permission from the victims to release their conditions.

Authorities said they are investigating what type of club The Spot is and why so many underage children were there.

“Was it a private party, was it open to the public, that’s what we’re trying to figure out,” said Burden.

Fire Rescue officials will also follow up with the venue to determine whether it’s a teen club, whether it’s licensed as a club for regular gatherings or whether this was an informal event, Carroll said.

A phone number for the club was out of service.

APTN/ The Associated Press Emergency personnel tend to the wounded outside The Spot, a nightclub in Miami. Fifteen people were wounded in an early morning shooting at the club, including an 11- year- old, police said.