At least 10 people were shot Thursday night while rapper French Montana was filming a music video outside a restaurant co-owned by DJ Khaled.
Police and paramedics responded to The Licking in Miami Gardens, Florida – about 24 km north of Miami – at around 8 p.m. and found several victims.
Miami Dade Fire Rescue said in a release that there were "several patients suffering traumatic injuries" at the scene and "other injured patients" at a nearby fire station.
"As a result of the incident, a total of 10 patients were injured. Four of the patients self-transported to local area hospitals. MDFR transported the remaining 6 patients by ground and air rescue to local trauma centers."
Miami Gardens Police spokesperson Diana Delgago-Gourgue told reporters that a large crowd of people was gathered outside the restaurant at the time of the shooting but it was not yet known if someone shot into the crowd or if there was an exchange of gunfire.
No arrests have been made but an investigation is underway.
#NEW: Rapper 'CED Mogul' shared this video with @nbc6. He says shows #FrenchMontana and #Rob49 in the backseat of a car during the video shoot, and prior to the shooting.
— Ryan Nelson (@RyanNelsonTV) January 6, 2023
Witnesses say #Rob49 was among nine people shot. @MGPDFL would only confirm multiple shot. #Miami pic.twitter.com/xHjCuIaI7H
According to unconfirmed reports on social media, rapper Rob49 and a bodyguard for French Montana are among the victims. A graphic video circulating on social media shows several people laying on the pavement near pools of blood following the shooting.
One witness told local news outlets that people watching filming of the music video behind a nearby KFC were robbed of valuables. After production had moved to The Licking, the witness said as many as 15 gunshots were heard and people scattered.
7News reported that four victims were airlifted to a trauma centre and at least one is listed in critical condition. No fatalities were reported.
A statement on Friday from The Licking read: “Our hearts are heavy and go out to the victims of this senseless act. We were not aware of a video being filmed and found out last minute. French Montana was shooting a scene in the back parking lot. We have no idea what actually took place. The Licking restaurant has nothing to do with the incident and has given police the necessary footage requested.”
But, in his tweet on Friday addressing the shooting, Montana made no mention of the music video: “Last night, I was in Miami celebrating the release of my CB6 mixtape w/ friends at a local restaurant. We unfortunately were at the wrong place, at the wrong time when an incident took place that left people hurt. Our thoughts & prayers are w/ the victims & families at this time.”
Miami Gardens Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt said in a statement late Friday that no permits had been issued to shoot a music video. "Investigations so far have revealed that the necessary permits were not obtained by the organizers of the music video production," she said. "The City’s policy requires a permit application and the appropriate law enforcement detail to be secured for these types of activities. As a result of this disregard of the procedures, the unauthorized music video production led to an unfortunate situation."
It was reportedly the 12th mass shooting in the U.S. so far this year.
#BREAKING: Ten people have been injured in a shooting outside The Licking restaurant in Miami Gardens, law enforcement sources told 7News. https://t.co/9eje3IUSD9
— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) January 6, 2023