Mendell Lebel, a 17-year-old from Hollywood, FL, was tragically killed on July 2, 2018, in a drive-by shooting. The incident occurred just a day after his 17th birthday while he was in the parking lot of his residential community with friends and neighbors. A vehicle passed by, made a U-turn, and opened fire, injuring two adults and fatally wounding Mendell. He was shot once in the upper shoulder, with the bullet collapsing his lungs and lodging fatally in his chest cavity.
Despite immediate efforts to save him, Mendell succumbed to his injuries at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.
Mendell was an aspiring attorney, enrolled in a prestigious four-year criminal justice program at his high school. His family described him as a bright, kind, and ambitious young man who was not involved in any illegal activities. The drive-by shooting that claimed his life was a senseless act of violence, and his family has been vocal about their grief and the impact of his loss. They continue to seek justice for Mendell, as the case remains unresolved.
The investigation into Mendell's murder has faced significant challenges. The two adults who were also injured in the shooting have refused to cooperate with the police, adhering to a "code of the streets" that discourages speaking to law enforcement. This lack of cooperation has hindered the progress of the investigation. The suspect vehicle was described as a silver four-door sedan with dark tinted windows, but no arrests have been made, and the shooter remains unidentified.
In the years following Mendell's death, his family has continued to honor his memory and advocate for justice. They have held memorial events and offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Despite their efforts, the case remains open, and the family continues to call for anyone with information to come forward. The pain of losing Mendell has been profound for his family, who remember him as a loving and caring individual with a promising future ahead of him.
