Case Summary
- Case Type
- Homicide
- Incident Date
- Friday
- Incident Time
- 11 p.m.
- Location
- Near Northwest 108th Street and 27th Avenue, Northwest Miami-Dade, FL
- Investigating Agency
- Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office
- Victim Count
- 1
- Charges
- robbery, homicide
- Arrest Status
- not reported
- Court Status
- not reported
- Case Status
- under investigation
The family of an 18-year-old homicide victim is searching for answers following a fatal gunpoint robbery that occurred late Friday night in Northwest Miami-Dade, according to authorities and news reports.
The incident unfolded in the area of Northwest 108th Street and 27th Avenue, a location that quickly became the center of a major law enforcement response as investigators worked to gather evidence and identify those responsible for the violence.
Incident Overview
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and statements from the victim's family, 18-year-old Nathan Bentley had just finished grabbing food at a local McDonald's on Friday night. Investigators and family members stated that the teenager and his companions had visited friends across the street before realizing they were being targeted by unknown individuals. The suspects allegedly followed Bentley, ultimately cornering and circling him in an armed confrontation. The assailants reportedly demanded his belongings at gunpoint. When Bentley attempted to flee from the armed robbers, he was shot, resulting in his tragic death.
Timeline of Events
- Friday night: Nathan Bentley visits a McDonald's restaurant in Northwest Miami-Dade and subsequently visits friends across the street.
- Friday night: Unidentified suspects begin following Bentley and his associates after observing them near the restaurant.
- Friday at approximately 11 p.m.: The suspects circle Bentley near Northwest 108th Street and 27th Avenue, demanding his property at gunpoint before shooting him as he attempts to run.
Victim Information
The victim has been publicly identified as 18-year-old Nathan Bentley. Family members, including his mother Nohely Bogert, have spoken out publicly to share details of his final moments and to appeal to the community for information that could help law enforcement identify the suspects involved in the fatal robbery.
Police Response
Officers and emergency personnel from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of the shooting late Friday night following reports of gunfire near Northwest 108th Street and 27th Avenue. Upon arrival, first responders located the victim and initiated emergency medical procedures, while patrol units secured the surrounding perimeter to preserve evidence and begin the preliminary canvas of the neighborhood for witnesses and surveillance footage.
Investigation
Detectives with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office have launched an active homicide investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Investigators are reviewing witness statements, examining the sequence of events leading from the McDonald's location to the site of the shooting, and working to track down any available video surveillance from nearby businesses or residential properties that might capture the movements of the suspects.
Evidence Collected
- Eyewitness testimony from family members and associates regarding the suspects' movements
- Geographic and physical trail of evidence starting from the nearby McDonald's restaurant to the intersection of Northwest 108th Street and 27th Avenue
- Ballistic and forensic evidence gathered at the crime scene by responding law enforcement personnel
Arrest Details
As of the latest reports from law enforcement agencies, no arrests have been announced in connection with the fatal shooting of Nathan Bentley. The suspects remain at large, and the investigation remains ongoing as detectives pursue leads to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible.
Charges Filed
While no suspects have been apprehended yet, authorities have categorized the offenses under investigation. In the legal and criminal justice framework of Florida, charges typically associated with such incidents include the following:
- Robbery: Defined under Florida law as the taking of money or other property which may be the subject of larceny from the person or custody of another, with intent to either permanently or temporarily deprive the person or owner of money or other property, when in the course of the taking there is the use of force, violence, assault, or putting in fear. When committed with a firearm or deadly weapon, it is classified as a felony of the first degree, punishable by up to life imprisonment.
- Homicide / Murder: Defined broadly as the unlawful killing of a human being. Depending on whether premeditation is established or if the death occurred during the commission of another felony such as armed robbery, charges can range from second-degree murder to first-degree felony murder. First-degree murder is a capital felony punishable by death or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Court Information
Because no suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the homicide of Nathan Bentley, formal court dockets and case numbers have not yet been established. Once an arrest is made by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the case will be docketed in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, where the accused will make an initial appearance for a bond hearing.
Statements from Authorities
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office confirmed the timing and general location of the fatal incident. Meanwhile, grieving mother Nohely Bogert described the moments leading up to the tragedy to reporters. \u201cThey were at this McDonald’s behind us,\u201d Bogert said. \u201cThey seen some friends across the street. They went to go say hi. And at that point, they were being followed. The suspects who were following him circled him. They pulled out the gun. They asked him to give him whatever he had. My son ran and he was shot.\u201d
Public Safety Information
Law enforcement agencies urge anyone with information regarding violent crimes or armed robberies to come forward immediately to help prevent further violence in the community. Tips can often be submitted anonymously through local Crime Stoppers programs. If you or someone you know has been affected by violent crime, victim advocacy services are available across the United States. For immediate emergency assistance, always dial 911. To reach the National Crime Prevention Council or to report non-emergency tips to federal authorities, citizens can utilize the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
What Happens Next
When suspects are identified and apprehended by law enforcement in a homicide investigation, they are taken into custody and booked into a local detention facility. Following booking, the accused individuals must be brought before a judge for an initial appearance hearing within 24 hours, where charges are formally read, constitutional rights are explained, and a determination regarding pre-trial detention or bond is made based on the severity of the charges and public safety considerations.
