Antoine Joe Jr., 26, a former basketball player at St. Thomas University, and his friend Tyler Royal, 24, tragically lost their lives in a drive-by shooting that occurred in Miami on Saturday.
The two individuals were discovered in a black vehicle that bore the marks of bullets, located near the intersection of Northwest 12th Avenue and 42nd Street. Swiftly taken to Jackson’s Ryder Trauma Center, their injuries proved fatal, leading to their unfortunate demise.
Having graduated in criminal justice from St. Thomas University in 2020, Joe Jr. had aspirations for furthering his education. Recognized for his remarkable basketball prowess, his sudden passing has left a profound impact on the university community.
University officials took to social media, referring to him as an ‘outstanding young man hailing from an exceptional family’.
Law enforcement is actively investigating whether the shooting was a deliberate, targeted incident or an arbitrary act. They are appealing to the public for any information that could aid in apprehending the individual(s) responsible.
While both families of the victims are grappling with grief, they are also hoping for a sense of justice. They urge anyone possessing relevant information to get in touch with Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
