By Ramon Robinson
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Authorities are investigating a late-night shooting outside the NAACP Fort Lauderdale/Broward Branch headquarters, an incident that has sparked outrage in the community and raised concerns about safety and equity in law enforcement response.
The shooting occurred around 11 p.m. on Monday, January 27, at the NAACP office located at 1100 Northwest 6th Street. According to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD), officers responded to a report of gunfire and discovered two windows damaged by bullets. No one was inside at the time, and no injuries were reported.
FLPD has since partnered with Crime Stoppers to offer a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest. The department is working alongside the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to canvass the area and gather evidence. Officials have released an image of a person of interest, described as a Black male with a stocky build, wearing a gray hoodie, blue pants, a black hat, and black slides.
Marsha Ellison Raises Concerns About Police Response
Marsha A. Ellison, President of the NAACP Fort Lauderdale/Broward Branch, was notified about the shooting late Monday night. She immediately visited the office and saw firsthand the damage caused by the bullets.
“When I initially learned about it, it was just phrased as ‘the building was hit,’” she said. “But when I arrived, I saw that the rounds had entered the building.”
Ellison reached out directly to the Fort Lauderdale Police Chief, expressing her frustration that there was no immediate crime scene investigation taking place.
“There were no dogs, no forensic teams—nothing. That was alarming to me,” she stated. “What’s this really about? Is it a hate crime? Not knowing is the scary part.”
Ellison noted that the building has high-impact windows, making the force of the gunfire even more concerning. She also pointed out that no other buildings in the area appeared to be hit and the shots did not seem to come from far away.
“This investigation seems to be getting slow-walked,” she continued. “Shooting into a dwelling is a felony, yet we still have no answers. We demand the same resources and urgency as communities that don’t look like ours.”
Ellison also contacted the FBI, a routine step to ensure that this incident is logged in case it is part of a larger pattern of similar crimes.
Community Voices Frustration and Fear
Local business owners and residents are deeply troubled by the shooting, particularly as the Sistrunk corridor continues to gain momentum in redevelopment.
Chris Smith, a restaurant owner two buildings away from the NAACP office, said he was upset because the shooting tarnishes the positive progress being made in the area.
“Sistrunk represents something positive for our community, and we’re finally gaining momentum in building it up,” Smith said.
His staff did not hear or see anything unusual that night, and while he hasn’t noticed a direct impact on his business yet, he acknowledged that it’s too soon to tell. Smith has a meeting scheduled with law enforcement this coming Friday to discuss safety concerns.
City Officials Call for Justice
Florida State Senator Rosalind Osgood spoke out forcefully, calling for accountability and an end to gun violence.
“The safety of everybody here is important to me, and we’re not going to allow someone to come into our community and shoot up the NAACP,” she said. “When you come for any part of us, you come for all of us. We have to stop the gun violence and get to the bottom of what happened.”
Broward County Commissioner Robert McKinzie echoed similar concerns, emphasizing that gunfire anywhere is an issue, but the targeting of an NAACP office is especially alarming.
Ongoing Investigation and Call for Information
FLPD has stated that its Gun Intelligence Unit is leading the investigation, working alongside federal partners. However, as of now, police have not been able to identify a suspect or determine the motive behind the shooting.
Officials urge anyone with information to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-8477 or visit www.browardcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
As the investigation continues, the community remains on edge, waiting for answers and pushing for justice.
