Gun violence struck Coconut Grove again Wednesday, killing one man and injuring another on Douglas Road, not far from the site of two earlier shootings in 2025.
A man was shot and killed early Wednesday evening at the corner of Douglas Road and Florida Avenue in West Grove. The shooter, identified as a male, is still on the loose.
Miami police have identified the victim as 30-year-old Robert Denardes Whittle Jr.
Whittle, who was shot twice, was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition, where he died from his injuries. Miami police are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the killing.
The shooting followed an argument between the victim and gunman, a police source tells the Spotlight.
Another man received minor injuries during the incident but refused treatment from rescue workers at the scene and declined transport to a hospital.
Police blocked off two blocks of Douglas Road, from Frow Avenue to Grand Avenue, well into the evening while the investigation unfolded.
This is Coconut Grove’s third shooting this year, and the second homicide, all of which occurred within a block of Douglas Road.
On March 19, in the 3700 block of Percival Avenue just a few blocks north of Wednesday’s shooting, an 18-year-old male was shot and killed during a suspected drug deal. Police have since arrested a 17-year-old male and charged him with murder.
A few blocks away, at the corner of Plaza Street and Florida Avenue, a male in his 30s was shot and critically injured in the early hours of March 24.
Following the two incidents, former Commander Daniel Kerr promised an increased police presence in the area. Wednesday’s shooting comes despite reports of a steep drop in crime across the City of Miami for the first half of 2025, with homicides down 20%.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include the name of the victim.
