FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – A tragic incident unfolded over the weekend in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, when a 3-year-old boy was fatally shot during a drive-by shooting at a birthday party. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at Riverland Park, located near the 900 block of Southwest 27th Avenue.
The chilling aftermath of the shooting was captured in 911 calls released on Monday, with callers expressing panic and desperation. One woman’s plea for an ambulance at Riverland Park was abruptly cut off, while another woman’s call revealed the heartbreaking news that a child had been shot.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department reported that officers and fire rescue crews arrived at the scene to find the injured toddler. He was immediately transported to Broward Health Medical Center as a trauma alert. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, the boy, identified as Rylo Yancy, was later pronounced dead. Yancy had celebrated his third birthday just last month.
Family members congregated at the hospital throughout Sunday, choosing to grieve privately and declining to speak with the media. The loss of the young boy was palpable on social media, where family members expressed their devastation.
The scene at Riverland Park on Monday morning was a stark contrast to the previous day’s festivities. Party decorations, including balloons and a photo of the 1-year-old birthday celebrant, were strewn about, while food, drinks, and other items remained on and around picnic tables, a grim reminder of the violence that had unfolded.
Local residents expressed shock and sorrow at the incident. Millie Charles, a local resident, called for unity and prayer to end the violence, expressing her heartbreak over the death of an innocent child. Joan Gooding, another resident who had experienced the loss of a child, expressed her deep sympathy for the boy’s mother.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department reported on Monday that the suspect had fled the scene following the shooting. However, detectives were able to identify and locate one of the vehicles involved in the incident. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward.