A man was killed and six others wounded as gunfire erupted early Sunday morning inside downtown Miami club Nocturnal, according to Miami police spokesperson Lt. Kenia Reyes.
The terrifying scene unfolded shortly after 3 a.m. at 50 Northeast 11th Street , when according to witnesses several patrons inside the club began arguing.
Shots rang out minutes later, leaving 26-year-old Brandon Marquis McGhee of North Miami dead at the scene.
Reyes said five victims with non-life threatening injuries were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, where another victim was driven by friends.
Among the wounded are Ronaldo Cerve, 20, of North Miami; Maxon Clark, 25, of Pembroke Pines; Ricat Pierre, 25, of Miami; Mac Isidor, 23, of Miami; and Emilio Lopez, 21, of Miami, according to a police incident report. The sixth person has yet to be indentified.
A witness who found himself in the line of fire just 15 feet from the gunman said the trouble between two parties started on the club's second floor.
"They were throwing bottles at each other," he said. "They were throwing up gang signs and sticking middle fingers [up]...I looked to my right and I saw the gun shooting, the fire. It sounded like firecrackers."
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The seven people were struck by bullets as hundreds of terrified revelers streamed out exit doors and others dove for cover, police say.
"I saw this one girl getting walked over like crazy," said the witness of the stampede to safety.
"I thought I was going to die. What I witnessed today -- I saw a dead body and a lot of people hurt. I'm only 19 and eyes like mine shouldn't be seeing that...I don't think anybody wants to see that."
The incident is the second club shooting on Northeast 11th Street in a little over a month. In August, four people were shot outside the nightclub 90 Degree. Suspects in both shootings remain at large.
Homicide detectives are hoping to speak with patrons who may have left Nocturnal immediately after the incident. Anyone present is asked to call 305-603-6350, and anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
