Still no clues on murder of Miramar High athlete, Paul Royal

It has been over a week since Miramar High’s college-bound and stand-out football player, Paul Royal,18, was shot and killed in front of a friend’s home. The unidentified gunmen, who allegedly walked up to his car and began firing, remain on the loose. Royal’s parents are speaking out and calling on anyone who witnessed the crime to come forward.

“Yes, I need some answers,” said Royal’s mother Tiffany Davis in a recently-televised interview.

Royal was shot and killed last Tuesday afternoon while sitting in a car in Miami Gardens. According to reports, the gunmen wore ski masks and ran away after the shooting.

“It’s like he was snatched away from us,” said Royal’s father, Damion Davis. “He didn’t deserve this.”

Royal was set to attend college at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville. His bags were packed and he had just finished his last minute shopping with his aunt. Royal was scheduled to leave for Jacksonville on Saturday.

“All P.J. wanted was to get out of Miami and start his new chapter, a new life, a good life,” said Royal’s aunt, Latoya Perry.

Royal went to his friend’s house to pick him up. From there, the intended plan was to return to Royal’s home to play Playstation, according to Royal’s aunt. His athletic abilities set him apart from his peers and from most reports he was a well-liked teenager. But it wasn’t enough to protect him the danger of the streets.

Royal’s death is among the sudden surge in violence in Miami Gardens. According to reports, Royal was the second shooting victim in Miami Gardens that day. Heather Young,26, was walking on the sidewalk when she was approached from behind and shot several times in the head and torso at NW 210th Terrace and 34th Court. The shootings are believed to be unrelated, according to Miami Gardens police.

By Ju’lia Samuels
jsamuels@miamitimesonline.com