A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred during the second annual Taste of Miami Karnival in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood.
Jamesly Mezime, of North Miami Beach, was taken into custody following a felony traffic stop on Biscayne Boulevard near 38th Street. The shooting took place late Sunday, April 12, near the main stage of the popular cultural festival.
According to Miami police, officers responding to gunfire found 23-year-old Kitchner Cyrille suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where he was pronounced dead. Two other victims , a man believed to be Cyrille’s cousin and a woman were also shot and hospitalized. The female victim was later released, while the male victim remains in recovery.
Surveillance video reviewed by investigators reportedly shows a physical fight breaking out between two men near the main stage. Mezime then allegedly pulled a handgun from his waistband and opened fire, striking Cyrille. Video also appears to show associates going through Cyrille’s pockets before fleeing the scene.
A witness later identified Mezime as the ex-boyfriend of the woman who was also wounded in the shooting. During questioning, Mezime told detectives he acted in self-defense and claimed he only shot the victim “twice in the legs.” Police say video evidence contradicts that account.
Mezime faces one count of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. He appeared in court and was ordered held without bond. He was also instructed to have no contact with the surviving victims. He remains in custody at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Community Mourns
The shooting has deeply shaken the tight-knit Little Haiti community. Family members described Kitchner Cyrille, a Miami Edison Senior High School graduate who ran track in junior college, as a kind and non-confrontational young man who was always willing to help others.
A candlelight vigil was held in Cyrille’s honor as friends and family continue to grieve his loss.
The Taste of Miami Karnival is a cultural celebration meant to highlight Haitian and Caribbean heritage through food, music, and community. The incident has cast a shadow over what is usually a joyful event.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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