Watch as Fox 4's Anvar Ruziev takes you to the scene of where the crews battled the flames:
UPDATE 9:40 p.m.:Power was fully restored in Montura Ranch Estates following a brush fire that burned three acres earlier Wednesday
Chief Amy Stafford from Hendry County Public Safety says the fire began around 12:30 p.m
prompting evacuations due to smoke and safety concerns
Firefighters on scene said one of the properties had over 500 tires burning
The exact cause remains under investigation
either illegal burn or working in the backyard
It moved to adjacent properties," Stafford explained
officials are urging residents to adhere strictly to the current burn ban
citing extremely dry conditions that can easily fuel flames
Those are there for a reason," said Stafford
"Even if we get a small little rain shower
Power is back on to all but three customers in the affected area
The Florida Forest Service says the fire is 100% contained
The Florida Forest Service says the fire is still at three acres
Hendry County deputies say if you saw a large plume of black smoke
it came from a pile of tires dumped in the area
Glades Electric Cooperative says nearly 2,000 people have no power
The Hendry County School District says parents should expect significant bus delays due to the fire
"We strongly recommend that if you have an alternative means of transportation for your student(s)
you consider utilizing it to avoid significant wait times," the district posted on social media
"We understand this situation may cause inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these unforeseen circumstances
The safety of our students is our top priority
and we are working to transport them as efficiently and safely as possible given the road closures
Homes are under evacuation in Montura Ranch Estates in Hendry County because of a brush fire
If you live between North Cabbage Palm at Horse Club and west to North Utopia Street
if you live on Camino Real Boulevard at North Utopia Street and east to North Cabbage Palm
The evacuations are roughly a three-block radius
Hendry County deputies are helping with road closures
They tell Fox 4 multiple agencies are at the scene including Clewiston
LaBelle and Montura Ranch fire departments
Collier County is sending a helicopter to help fight the fire
The Florida Forest Service says three acres have burned and it's 50% contained
A 4-year-old Clewiston boy and a 26-year-old Davie man were killed in a car crash in Hendry County on Saturday night
bringing smiles to the faces of those around him."
The accident happened at the intersection of U.S
in which the boy and his 58-year-old grandfather were passengers
failed to yield and turned into the path of a 26-year-old motorcycle driver
Troopers did not release the driver's name
The motorcyclist collided with the passenger side of the pickup truck
according to the Florida Highway Patrol's crash report
The motorcyclist fell off his motorcycle and was pinned under the truck
The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene
sustained critical injuries and was transported to the hospital
The 4-year-old boy was also pronounced dead at the scene
(CBS12) — A Clewiston woman was killed after her BMW drifted into oncoming traffic near the 51000 of Hwy 27 on Thursday
According to a traffic report by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO)
crossed over the median from the northbound lane to the southbound lanes
Her vehicle then broke through the western guardrail and continued northwest striking a tree
See also: Longtime Palm Beach County deputy arrested for DUI in sheriff's office vehicle
The vehicle came to a rest overturned on its side
Lopez was pronounced dead on the scene by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR)
were killed in a crash on US 27 in Hendry County on Saturday night
Troopers say it happened near the intersection of Flaghole Rd
They say a pickup truck going northbound made a left turn
but did not yield the right of way to a motorcycle coming the opposite direction
The 4-year-old passenger from Clewiston was killed
Troopers say the 26-year-old motorcycle driver from Davie was partially pinned underneath the truck
The Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating
The Clewiston Police Department (CPD) is urgently asking for the community's help in locating two runaway teens
(CBS12) — Police urgently seek public help in locating two 15-year-olds who vanished after fleeing a vehicle stopped at a stop sign
were last seen together after an encounter with law enforcement
According to the Clewiston Police Department (CPD)
officers encountered the duo accompanied by two juvenile boys
the two boys were quickly picked up by their families
See also: St. Lucie firefighters extinguish Friday evening blaze
After multiple attempts to reach their parents
CPD says the teen girls couldn't reach their families
Torres eventually made contact with an adult male she claimed was her brother
police say the duo ran out of the vehicle at a stop sign
Chanell and Giselle are believed to still be together though there is a possibility they could be travelling separately
Police urge anyone with information on the girls' whereabouts to call the Clewiston Police Department at 863-983-1474
UPDATE:An explosion in the back of a pickup truck at the Clewiston Holiday Inn parking lot sent a man to the hospital
Fox 4’s Hendry County Community Correspondent
so he went to talk to Clewiston’s Fire Chief about what happened.Watch Austin's report here..
In hotel surveillance video - you could see the man working in the back of his truck when suddenly
yo could see the truck still in the parking lot with the roof of the bed topper blown out
Fire Chief Travis Reese told me they started getting calls around five Wednesday afternoon from people who heard the explosion
they found an adult male in the lobby that had sustained injuries to his torso and face
and had difficulty hearing and seeing,” said Reese
Reese said the blast caused severe injuries
I reached out the the hospital for an update
but since the man’s name hasn’t been released
Reese explained the man was in town to work on a fire suppression system at a nearby warehouse and was staying at the hotel
Reese said he was using the back of his truck to run inventory on fire suppression detonators called “squibs”
they’re powerful enough to hurt maybe your hand
the particular explosion that happened here
there was about 147 according to the manifest that may have been in the container when it exploded
The blast could be heard from several blocks around as we were getting calls,” said Reese
Reese says this kind of accident is rare since these systems are usually very stable and widely used in aircrafts and hotels
so Reese said a bomb squad was called in to safely set them off
“We’re just thankful that nobody else was hurt
and we’re wishing for his speedy recovery,” said Reese
As soon as we get an update on the man’s condition
we’ll let you know.ORIGINAL REPORTING:An explosion at the Holiday Inn in Clewiston injured one man staying at the hotel
According to police the man was unloading fire suppression equipment when part of the equipment exploded
Clewiston Police Chief Thomas Lewis said they are still working on what exactly caused the equipment to explode
You can see in the surveillance video at the hotel there were red boxes that the man was checking
One of the boxes exploded blowing him backward
The man takes off his shirt and there is a red burn mark
Police say the man was rushed to Hendry Regional Medical Center
The Hendry County Sheriff's Office said during the investigation into the explosive Fire Personnel discovered a small amount of undetected explosives
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad was also called out to the scene to assist with the disposal of the items
The Sheriff's Office wanted to alert citizens that the area from San Luis to Berner Road and south to Ventura to Sagamore were temporarily closed while crews disposed of the undetonated devices
Clewiston Fire Commander Travis Reese noted
“it is important for residents in the area to know they may hear a loud explosion”
Reese went on to say “this is a controlled explosion and the public is not in danger
The ATF and the State Fire Marshall are also now investigating according to Police
The Holiday Inn is open and no other guests or employees were injured in the explosion
The explosion was isolated to that one vehicle
(CBS12) — A 21-year-old unloaded five to six rounds in a Clewiston Walmart during an altercation but missed all intended targets
fled on foot and was apprehended by Hendry County Deputies near the Walmart automotive section
they reported he had a Glock 22 in his waistband
According to the Hendry County Police Department (HCPD)
Thicklin was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted homicide
See also: Deputies apprehend 11 after seizing large amounts of meth from Hernando County home
with investigators locating five projectiles and four bullet casings that were stored for evidence
Police say the investigation remains active
and no additional information is being released
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Fla — A man was shot and killed in a neighborhood just east of Clewiston on Tuesday afternoon
according to the Hendry County Sheriff's Office
Investigators say 50-year-old Yoel Ramos is now charged with second degree murder
A spokesperson for the sheriff's office says it happened on Midstate Loop
just south of the intersection of Old State Road 80 and US 27
The Hendry County Sheriff's Office reports that Ramos approached his friend
The sheriff's office says Ramos then called 911 and waited for authorities to arrive
We will update it as soon as there is more information
Fla — Clewiston’s history is rooted in rich soil and hard work
with African American families a big part of the town’s story
Austin Schargorodski works in the area daily
he sat down with Reverend Gwen Patrick Griffiths to learn about the early workers
and her mission to keep their legacy alive
you can’t miss the iconic fields of sugar cane that surround “America’s Sweetest Town.” Reverend Gwen says these fields tell the story of the hardworking “mucksteppers”
early workers who built their lives cutting sugarcane in the rich muck around Lake Okeechobee
arriving from Georgia in 1926 to help build U.S
Sugar’s railroad and work the land that defined this community - and she became a Muckstepper herself a week after she was born
“We were the one’s who were producing the goods
It might not have been all that you wanted to make
This was a town that was flourishing with money.”
Gwen said the Mucksteppers helped pave the way for the community we see today - but the opportunity came at a cost
Working in the muck under Florida’s blazing sun and living in tiny converted train cars
she said their days were long and difficult
“There was no way to go hungry in this area
You could just plant your garden and grow whatever
There was no reason for you to go hungry,” said Rev
Gwen is making sure stories like this live on for future generations
She said she’s in the process of publishing a book documenting the sacrifices and resilience of the Mucksteppers
“If our children don’t know where we came from
they don’t know where they’re going,” said Rev
it’s up to us to teach them we are Mucksteppers
Gwen’s work doesn’t stop at preserving history - she’s making it too
a celebration of Clewiston’s African American community that also supports students with scholarship funds raised with a unique beauty pageant
"It’s not your every day garden variety beauty pageant
And we will judge their ability to raise money
Clewiston’s African American history is more than just the past - it’s at the heart of the town’s identity
She hopes her work inspires others to honor that legacy and embody what she believes is the true meaning of “America’s Sweetest Town”
A feeling of friendliness and cohesiveness
Fla — Two teenagers have been arrested for the shooting that killed 16-year-old Ja’Yhanna Johnson while she was at a dance in Clewiston
Watch the Hendry County Sheriff's Office release details about the arrest:
Detectives say shots were fired into the Harlem Rec Center on Harlem Tenants Circle during the dance
HCSO arrested two 15-year-olds from Clewiston: Jayden Lawson and Roosevelt Adderly III
decided to have a rival with other known gang members who they believed to be at the party
These two individuals climbed a fence and laid in wait for the other gang members to walk outside
When they say who they believed to be their rivals
they opened fire,” said Sheriff Steve Whidden
Sheriff Whidden said two detectives were nearby
“They started CPR and did so until medics arrived on scene
where she was pronounced dead,” said Whidden
Detectives believe it was Adderly’s bullet that killed Ja’Yhanna Johnson
Both teens are now charged with second-degree homicide
“Our hearts and prayers absolutely go out to the family
We don’t even pretend to know what they’re going through
said she dreamed of becoming a nurse and her loss has left a void words can’t fill
Ja’Yhanna was also a talented base on the Clewiston High cheer team
said her positivity will leave a lasting impact
“She didn’t let anything set her back or hold her back
And that’s what we’re gonna’ do now that we don’t have her here - we’re gonna learn that from her and we’re gonna’ keep going,” said Basquin
The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office said they conduced more than 100 interviews and say they are grateful to those who provided info that led to the arrests
— Fire crews in Clewiston responded to calls of a fire at a Popeyes Chicken located at 504 E
Sugarland Highway.The Clewiston Police department posted on Facebook about the call
saying that the cause of the flames was a kitchen fire.The location will be closed temporarily until repairs are made
— The Clewiston Police Department added a new tool to their arsenal - and it’s ready to roll
A new mobile command center was built to keep officers on scene and connected during an emergency
Fox 4’s Hendry County Community Correspondent Austin Schargorodski works in the area daily
so he got an exclusive first look inside at how this mobile command center expands what Clewiston Police can do when it matters most
Watch the tour of the new mobile command unit:
and providing backup when other agencies need help
Clewiston Police Chief Tom Lewis said this unit gives their department something they’ve never had before
There are many agencies across the state that come to our jurisdiction to help us if we are victims of a storm or need assistance
And a lot of times those folks come and have needs — hotel rooms
whatever — so this unit allows us to pay back that," Lewis said
Chief Lewis said buying a unit like this is a challenge
But thanks to partnerships with state emergency management
he said they got it without costing the city a dime
he said it’s more than a place for officers to cool off and grab a meal during long hours on scene
Lewis showed how it’s being outfitted with a dispatch center to keep officers connected
"We are gonna have a complete 800 megahertz communication system
an additional VHF communication system here
In this cabinet here we have a mobile repeater
so no matter where we go we will have full communication systems," Lewis explained
Lewis said they relied on a state-run radio system
that separates us from the ability to communicate with our police officers in the field
Not only does that reduce service but it’s a real officer safety concern," said Lewis
Chief Lewis gave an example: after Hurricane Ian
he said his officers were on call to help Sanibel
they had to drive back and forth for lodging and supplies
he said they’ll be able to stay close to the action to help other agencies in emergencies
"The reality is we’re now a better regional partner for the sheriff’s offices that surround us and other cities’ police departments
so we’re really stepping up our game in so many ways," Lewis said
Fla — School zone cameras in Clewiston have been catching speeders - but they’ve also been catching some criticism
Fox 4’s Hendry County Community Correspondent Austin Schargorodski works in this area daily
At a council meeting is where he heard about the confusion and safety concerns around these cameras.Watch the concerns raised at the city council meeting:
flashing yellow lights typically signal when to slow down
"I've had a member of the public come to me concerned about going through the school zone and having to be mindful of the camera
and what the sign said," Commissioner Hyslope said
Signs are posted with times indicating when the cameras are active
but commissioners said it’s distracting and believe flashing lights would help
The cameras ticket drivers going 11 miles per hour over the limit during school hours
Commissioners said many people didn’t know about the cameras until citations started arriving
and now here it is in April and we’re just now having a presentation," Commissioner Gardner said
Gardner also said she’s heard from residents who want the cameras limited to just pick-up and drop-off times
"That’s the biggest complaint I’ve heard from folks - that school zones are school zones and they should be at the speed limit
they’re on campus and not at risk of getting hit," Gardner said
Hendry Schools Head of Security and Safety Curtis Clay
pointing out that students and traffic are constant throughout the day
He agreed that flashing yellow lights would help but said drivers should already recognize when to slow down
"I've gotta be honest with you - if you can’t tell it’s a school zone time with the amount of traffic that’s in those areas in the morning and afternoons — something’s wrong," Clay said
Altumint - the company behind the cameras - said the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office plans to use citation funds to install flashing lights
commissioners said they are reviewing when the cameras should operate
— Clewiston passed a new ordinance to push sex offenders farther away from schools
city council passed an ordinance requiring sex offenders to live at least 2,500 feet from schools
offenders only had to live 1,000 feet away - the minimum state requirement
Clewiston Police Chief Tom Lewis said the city needed to act after seeing more offenders move in - taking advantage of Clewiston's less strict rules
He said this change brings Clewiston in line with nearby cities and he hopes it will prevent sex offenders from moving to the city
Watch what police chief Tom Lewis said about the new law:
it sends a message to all the sex offenders that are out there that you’re really not welcome here,” said Chief Lewis
“It also sends a message to our community that our priority here in the City of Clewiston is protecting our kids.”
Lewis said offenders already living within 2,500 feet would get to stay
He said police were working with schools to keep staff alert and ready to report any concerns
Lewis also said officers were meeting with realtors and landlords
explaining they would now face daily fines if they rent to a sex offender in restricted areas
Police are also working on a public awareness campaign to make sure parents know about these changes and how they can help keep kids safe
Clewiston police say a 21 year old man was behind the violence that forced law enforcement to evacuate Walmart customers with their hands up
Harlem is a 1-square-mile neighborhood in the southwest part of the small city
Police say Jiren Tyleak Thicklin was arguing with other customers at a clearance rack in the male clothing section
when he suddenly pulled out a gun and fired 5-6 shots toward those customers
and investigators showed us a store surveillance camera that recorded Thicklin with the gun drawn
Police say Thicklin ran away but a Hendry County deputy caught him in the automotive section of the store
Police say Thicklin had a Glock 22 firearm in his waistband
FDLE was called in to help process the crime scene
Thicklin now faces two counts of attempted murder
He was booked into the Hendry County Jail
a one square mile neighborhood in the southwest corner of the city
NOVEMBER 15Watch the full coverage by community correspondent Anvar Ruziev here:
Dozens of officers and deputies were on scene more than an hour after the shooting
Walmart employees were evacuated as law enforcement secured the building
We spoke with witnesses on scene who said they were shopping when the gunshots rang out but they did not see the guman
Viewers continue to share video of what was a scary Friday night at Walmart with FOX 4
Here are videos from a witnesses at the scene
FOX 4 Community Correspondent Anvar Ruziev will have more of your perspectives and your videos on this incident later tonight here on fox4now.com and tomorrow on FOX 4 Morning News at 8:00am
FOX 4 Community Correspondent Anvar Ruziev just got off the phone with Clewiston Police Chief Thomas Lewis
The chief confirmed there was a shooting at the city's Walmart just after 6:30pm Friday
and that law enforcement had safely cleared the store
The chief said investigators were interviewing eyewitnesses
The police department also shared this post on Facebook
saying the incident was initially called in as an active shooter incident
FOX 4 Community Correspondent Anvar Ruziev will have more on this story
A FOX 4 viewer called to report his family had witnessed a shooting inside the Walmart in Clewiston
The superstore is on US-27 near Berner Road
Hendry County deputies shared a message saying they were assisting Clewiston Police in a shooting investigation
Eyewitnesses claim as many as 3 people may have been injured in this shooting
We have not been able to confirm that information with investigators yet
FOX 4 does has a Community Correspondent on the way
as we continue to try to find out what happened
We'll update you here on fox4now.com when we know more
— Police arrested 37-year-old Victor Bartlett for pulling out a gun during a fight at the Clewiston Walmart
Bartlett was fighting with another man over a woman on Tuesday afternoon
police say he pulled out a .22 caliber gun
Police found Bartlett at the scene and was arrested for several charges including aggravated assault with a firearm
This is the second incident at the Walmart involving a gun in the last two months
police say 21-year-old Jiren Tyleak Thicklin opened fire inside the Walmart following an argument with other customers in the men's clothing section
Police say Thicklin was arguing with other customers at a clearance rack in the male clothing section
but a Hendry County deputy caught him in the automotive section of the store
— There's new information about the shooting inside a Clewiston Walmart
Fox 4's Bella Line spent the day looking through court and police records and talking with officials
She found out a second person was arrested that night
ORIGINAL REPORTING:https://www.fox4now.com/news/local-news/hendry-county/breaking-shooting-at-clewiston-walmart
Clewiston Police Chief Thomas Lewis says Jiren Tyleak Thicklin
opened fire near the men's clearance rack but he wasn't alone
Police say he shot 5 to 6 rounds in the direction of customers
A court official tells Line McNeal is Thicklin's girlfriend
The chief says McNeal's charges come from a police interview about the shooting
but investigators aren't saying much more about what led to the shooting itself
While Line was at the Clewiston Walmart on Monday
she spoke with shoppers about a Hendry County deputy parked outside of the store
They told her they hadn't seen any presence like that before the shooting
"I've been all around Florida and I think this is one of the places where I've had to be most cautious," said Shawn Dailey
"I think having someone close by to help keep us safe and just kind of be a deterrent for the crime is definitely a bit of an ease on my mind."
The initial police report says when officers found Thicklin
he was lying face down in the automotive section of the store
Court records show that both McNeal and Thicklin had their first court appearances on Sunday
the State Attorney's Office has up to 5 days after the first appearance to hold a pre-trial detention hearing to determine if Thicklin will get a bond
both of their arraignments are set for December 30
Fox 4 will continue to get you the most up-to-date information
— The Clewiston Police Department says a 2-year-old boy died from a gunshot wound
WATCH BELOW AS FOX 4'S ANVAR RUZIEV SPOKE WITH THE NEIGHBORS WHO HEARD THE SCENE:
the department says they responded to a house on South Lopez Street around 7:30 p.m
police say they found the 2-year-old dead with a gunshot wound
was leaving her church service just a block away when she heard the sirens
"Children are supposed to be able to run in their neighborhoods and be free and just enjoy their youth," she said
"They shouldn't have to think about that."
The preliminary investigation has determined the gun was owned by someone living in the home
and no one else was involved in the incident
accidental and there is no danger to the public
Fox 4 reached out to Chief Thomas Lewis for clarification on how the child sustained the gunshot wound
The chief confirmed the child did not shoot himself; however
it's not clear who shot the child and how the gun was accidentally fired
"My condolences and prayer go out to the family," Hylton said
you lose someone and there's a pain that goes with that
I think it worries everybody that lives here
The Hendry County Sheriff's Office and the Medical Examiner's Office were also on scene; the investigation remains active
— Clewiston is planning two new housing developments that will boost the city’s housing supply by around 20%
As FOX 4’s Hendry County Community Correspondent
so I was able to talk to Clewiston’s mayor about what this means for a city facing an ongoing housing shortage
“A lot of people are wanting to get out of major cities - the hustle and the bustle and the traffic - and Clewiston is just such a great place to raise families,” said James Pittman
With more people looking to move to Clewiston
two new neighborhoods will be built on two plots of land north and south of U.S.27 in east Clewiston
Pittman said it’ll add 500-600 homes - around 20% of the 2,800 existing ones
“The housing situation here is high prices for moderate housing,” said Pittman
I told you the home values in Clewiston shot up 14% last year alone
Sugar rezoned the land for the neighborhoods to help tackle the housing issues
Pittman also believes this could help solve the teacher shortage
we’ve had a lot of trouble housing new teachers to come to the area
it could be 30-60 teachers that need to be hired for that school year
and one of the major problems getting them to come here is housing
and the price of rental units,” Pittman explained
The housing shortage is so severe that in May
I reported on how Hendry County Schools plans to build its own housing for teachers
Pittman said the south development will focus on affordable homes
and a marina - both including commercial space along U.S
“It’s going to be a win-win for sure - for the school board
Pittman expects construction to start next year and take about five years
but phased building means families could move in sooner
00:51 Watch: Tornado rips across Clewiston area as Milton starts to lash Florida ahead of landfall A video recorded in Clewiston
shows a tornado spinning across the landscape as the first impacts from Hurricane Milton arrive in the state ahead of its anticipated catastrophic landfall later on Wednesday night
— A search warrant at a Clewiston home turns into the discovery of "potentially thousands" of child porn images and videos
According to the Clewiston Police Department
where they arrested 38-year-old John Eric Hernandez
potentially thousands of images and videos of child pornography were found on a single device
but they did find other electronics to be examined
Hernandez is charged with multiple counts of possession of child pornography
"Nothing sickens us more than to see people prey on children," said Clewiston Police Chief Tom Lewis
"I am proud of the work that was done here today and be rest assured that CPD will do what it takes to protect every single child."
Officers worked with the Department of Homeland Security and the Hendry County Sheriff's Office as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (ICAC
If you have any information related to this case or a similar case
call the Clewiston Police Department at (863) 983-1474
Fla — Preparations are underway for one of Clewiston’s biggest events - the Sugar Festival
was more than a display - it’s a symbol of the industry that helped shape "The Sweetest Town in America."
As Fox 4’s Hendry County Community Correspondent
Austin Schargorodski works in the area every day
Sugar to explore how Clewiston’s sugar industry built the town - and how the festival honors that legacy
and the stage was set to celebrate Clewiston’s roots
the company that’s been harvesting there for nearly a century
“We’re in the middle of our 94th harvest,” said Ryan Duffy
Sugar’s Director of Corporate Communications
“And it’s the center of this community - farming - and sugarcane farming in particular.”
Duffy tells me the Florida sugar industry supplies 23% of the country’s sugar
an exhibit shows why this land is ideal for growing sugarcane
“The hundreds and thousands of years of decomposition to the soil from the water in Lake Okeechobee has given us the nutrient-rich and natural muck soils that we have,” Duffy explained
and that’s what the sugarcane and other crops are grown in.”
Duffy says the Sugar Festival started as a celebration of the harvest’s end - but Clewiston Commissioner Hillary Hyslope says it’s also about honoring the people behind it
“We enjoy very much coming out to celebrate the industry and all of its people too,” Hislope said
the people who work day in and day out to keep all of this going.”
Tim Burke tells me he spent 31 years as a mechanic for U.S
He says this festival brings the community together - just like the industry has for decades
“This community sticks together when it’s rough times,” Burke said
“And now they can enjoy themselves with everyone coming to this Sugar Fest.”
Saturday’s sweet celebration brings Clewiston together with historical exhibits
The Clewiston Police Department (CPD) said officers responded to a report of a gunshot at a home on South Lopez Street at around 7:30 p.m
police discovered the victim — a two-year-old boy — dead from a gunshot wound
(CBS12) — A toddler was shot and killed in a Clewiston home on Wednesday night
The Clewiston Police Department (CPD) said officers responded to a report of a gunshot at a home onSouth Lopez Street at around 7:30 p.m
police discovered the victim— a two-year-old boy— dead from a gunshot wound
police said it was learned a gun was owned by someone in the home and it was determined that the shooting is a result of an accidental isolated incident
Investigators have taken possession of the gun and the CPD said it is working closely with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office
and the Department of Children and Families
"We are saddened by this tragic event and our hearts and prayers go out to the family," said Clewiston Police Chief Tom Lewis
"We ask that the community respect their time to grieve and be patient as the investigation continues."
Police said this is still an active investigation
No further details will be provided at this time
the Hendry County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said on Tuesday the two teenage boys were arrested in connection to the death of 16-year-old Ja’Yhanna Johnson
the Clewiston High School student was shot and killed on October 11
dispatch received multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots at 700 Harlem Tenants Circle
Johnson was unresponsive suffering from a gunshot wound
HCSO said the girl was later pronounced dead
HCSO said two 15-year-old boys were arrested for second-degree homicide
One of the teenage suspects is related to the victim
Both teens were taken to theDepartment of Juvenile Justice and have been ordered to be held in Secure Detention for 21 days
They each have hearings in Hendry County court on October 29