The family of 10-year-old Yaneliz Munguia, who was tragically killed by a stray bullet during a New Year’s celebration in northwest Miami-Dade, is expressing their heartbreak as police continue their search for the person responsible for the shooting.
According to reports Yaneliz was celebrating with her family outside their home in the 2100 block of Northwest 27th Avenue in Allapattah when, at approximately 12:04 a.m. on Wednesday, she suddenly collapsed.
After Yaneliz Munguia suddenly collapsed, her parents began checking her for injuries and discovered a wound to the back of her head. She was quickly rushed to a local hospital, where she was tragically pronounced dead. Munguia had just celebrated her 10th birthday on December 26.
Miami-Dade Police says they are actively investigating the incident.
Police believe Yaneliz Munguia was struck by a stray bullet fired into the air by an unknown person from an unknown location. Detectives are actively searching for those responsible for her tragic death.
Authorities in South Florida have long warned against celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve, following the heartbreaking death of 5-year-old Rickia Isaac, who was killed by a stray bullet in Miami in 1997. Despite decades of reminders, incidents like this continue to highlight the dangers of such reckless behavior.
“We speak time and time again every New Year’s about the fact that what goes up must come down and this is a prime example of the dangers of shooting a firearm indiscriminately into the air,” Det. Andre Martin said. “We have a 10-year-old girl who lost her life at the beginning of the year, we have two parents, a mother and a father, who are now planning a funeral for their daughter to start their year off.”
The police is asking anyone with information to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
