PINE HILLS, Fla. – Deputies continue searching for suspects in two separate shootings that happened in Pine Hills on Saturday less than 12 hours apart.
One of the men was killed in a shooting at a nightclub. That man was identified as Juan Carlos Ilarraza, 26.
Deputies responded to another deadly shooting at an apartment complex after a fight broke out there later the same day. That victim has not yet been identified.
Now, a mother in the community is trying to do her part to make the area safer for kids. Laquitta Luckett said she wants to start an after-school program to teach kids early on that violence is not the way to solve problems.
One of the shootings happened right next to the place she wants to hold the program, along Silver Star Road.
Sunday, Luckett held a birthday party there for her 2-year-old son. She said spreading celebration for him and other kids, amid the violence, is too important.
"We were supposed to have it yesterday, but due to the tragedy yesterday, we couldn't do it, so we just thought we'd go ahead and do it today," Luckett said. "It's ridiculous. It's kind of scary."
Luckett said she's planning to open a free after-school program to get kids off the street, in hopes that peace will someday prosper in the area.
"We can't control what they doing in the outside, but all we're trying to do is mentor them and it's OK," she said. "We're in a safe place over here."
Luckett is aiming to roll out her after-school program in August. She said anyone who wishes to volunteer may contact her and that every child is welcome.