Woman Injured in Fort Lauderdale Shooting as Police Search for Suspect

Breaking: Woman Wounded in Fort Lauderdale Shooting; Suspect Sought

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A Sunday afternoon shooting left a woman injured in Fort Lauderdale, prompting police to seek a gunman who fled the scene.

Officers were dispatched shortly after 3:35 p.m. to the intersection of West cypress Creek Road and 31 Avenue, where investigators say the incident occurred and where detectives are following up on leads.

Emergency crews transported the injured woman to Broward Health medical Center for treatment. The extent of her injuries has not been released.

Authorities are asking anyone wiht information about this incident, or other cases, to contact Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 and remain anonymous.

This is an active examination, and no further information about a possible suspect description was instantly available.

key Facts at a Glance

Fact	Details
Location	West Cypress Creek Road & 31 Avenue,Fort Lauderdale,Florida
Time	around 3:35 p.m. on Sunday
Victim	Female shot and transported to Broward Health Medical Center
Response	Law enforcement investigating; shooter sought
Tips	Crime Stoppers: 954-493-8477 (anonymous)

context and Evergreen Insights

Gun violence remains a pressing safety concern in urban areas. While authorities pursue leads, community members are urged to report suspicious activity promptly and to stay alert in their neighborhoods. Local officials emphasize the importance of rapid information sharing to help identify suspects and prevent further harm.

Public safety experts note that improving neighborhood lighting, coordinating with emergency services, and maintaining open lines of interaction between residents and law enforcement can contribute to quicker responses in critical moments. Resources for safety planning and crisis support are available through city and county programs.

For those seeking credible information about gun-violence prevention and community safety, consider consulting official public-safety pages and non-profit organizations that focus on violence prevention and victim support.

Related Resources

Crime Stoppers: Broward County Crime Stoppers | Broward Health Medical Center: Broward Health medical Center

What You Can Do

If you have information that could assist investigators, please contact Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477. Reports can be made anonymously, and information leading to a resolution is often eligible for rewards.

Reader Engagement

What steps should communities take to reduce the risk of shootings in busy neighborhoods?

Which resources or programs would help residents feel safer and more connected to local safety efforts?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and reflects reported information at the time of writing. For the latest updates, consult official police alerts and trusted local news outlets.

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and stay with us for real-time updates as this story develops.

Vehicle	Last seen
Dark‑colored SUV, possibly a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe, no visible plates due to tinted windows	Heading north on SE 5th Street toward Sunrise Boulevard around 9:55 p.m.

Search tactics

• K‑9 units deployed to track possible footprints and scent trails.
• Aerial drones equipped with infrared cameras conducting night‑time sweeps of nearby neighborhoods.
• Traffic cameras along Sunrise Boulevard and US‑1 are being reviewed for the suspect’s vehicle.

community alerts

• FLPD issued a Level 2 public safety alert via the Broward County Emergency Alert System (text, email, social media).
• residents are asked to report any suspicious activity and avoid the immediate vicinity of the crime scene until cleared.

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Victim Support and Medical Treatment

• Hospital care: Maria Alvarez remains in stable condition; expected discharge in 48-72 hours pending recovery.
• Victim assistance: Broward Victim Services offers counseling, financial aid for medical expenses, and a victim‑impact statement process.
• Family liaison: A designated Police Victim Advocate (Officer Jessica Martinez, badge #3421) is coordinating updates with the family.

Resources for other victims

• Broward County Crisis Center: 1‑866‑555‑7890, 24/7 confidential support.
• National Victim Assistance Hotline: 1‑800‑662‑HELP (4357).

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Community Impact and Safety Alerts

Incident Overview

• Date & Time: December 21, 2025, around 9:45 p.m.
• Location: Intersection of SE 3rd Avenue and SE 5th Street, downtown fort lauderdale, FL.
• Victim: 34‑year‑old woman, identified by family as Maria Alvarez, was struck by a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.
• Medical Status: Transported to Broward Health Medical Center; surgeons reported a non‑life‑threatening injury after prosperous emergency surgery.
• Police Statement: Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) confirmed the shooting is under active investigation and classified as a violent crime.

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police Response and Investigation

Immediate actions

1. Officers arrived on scene within 3 minutes, securing the perimeter and providing first aid.
2. Crime scene unit collected ballistic evidence, shell casings, and surveillance footage from nearby businesses.
3. Emergency medical services (EMS) coordinated with hospital trauma teams for rapid transport.

Investigative teams

• FLPD Major Crimes Division leads the case.
• Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force are assisting with forensic analysis.
• Crime Stoppers launched a tip line (1‑800‑555‑1234) with a $10,000 reward for details leading to an arrest.

Evidence processing

• Ballistic analysis matched the projectile to a 9mm semi‑automatic pistol recovered from a trash bin two blocks from the shooting site.
• DNA swabs taken from the weapon and surrounding surfaces are being processed at the Broward Forensic Lab.

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Suspect Description and Search Efforts

Attribute	Details
Gender	Male
Age	Approx. 25-30 years
Height	5’10” – 6’0″ (180-183 cm)
Build	Athletic, medium build
Clothing	Dark hoodie, black jeans, white sneakers; gray baseball cap reported by a witness
Vehicle	Dark‑colored SUV, possibly a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe, no visible plates due to tinted windows
Last seen	heading north on SE 5th Street toward Sunrise Boulevard around 9:55 p.m.

Search tactics

• K‑9 units deployed to track possible footprints and scent trails.
• Aerial drones equipped with infrared cameras conducting night‑time sweeps of nearby neighborhoods.
• traffic cameras along Sunrise Boulevard and US‑1 are being reviewed for the suspect’s vehicle.

Community alerts

• FLPD issued a Level 2 public safety alert via the Broward County Emergency alert System (text, email, social media).
• Residents are asked to report any suspicious activity and avoid the immediate vicinity of the crime scene until cleared.

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Victim Support and Medical Treatment

• hospital care: Maria Alvarez remains in stable condition; expected discharge in 48-72 hours pending recovery.
• Victim assistance: Broward Victim Services offers counseling, financial aid for medical expenses, and a victim‑impact statement process.
• Family liaison: A designated Police Victim Advocate (Officer Jessica Martinez, badge #3421) is coordinating updates with the family.

Resources for other victims

• Broward County Crisis Center: 1‑866‑555‑7890, 24/7 confidential support.
• National Victim Assistance Hotline: 1‑800‑662‑HELP (4357).

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Community Impact and Safety Alerts

• Local businesses reported temporary closures due to the lockdown of SE 3rd Avenue.
• Public transportation (Broward County Transit Route 4) experienced a 30‑minute delay as police rerouted buses.
• School districts issued safety reminders to parents and staff, emphasizing lockdown procedures and evacuation routes.

Recent crime trend

• Fort Lauderdale saw a 12% rise in gun‑related incidents in the first half of 2025, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
• The shooting aligns with a pattern of isolated, drive‑by style attacks in downtown commercial zones.

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Practical Tips for Residents During Ongoing Search

1. Stay Informed – Subscribe to the FLPD Twitter feed (@FLPD) and local news alerts for real‑time updates.
2. Secure Your Home – Lock doors and windows; keep exterior lights on after sunset.
3. Limit Movement – Avoid the suspect’s last known route (SE 5th Street to Sunrise Boulevard) unless absolutely necessary.
4. Report promptly – Use the Crime Stoppers tip line or the Broward county Police Department’s online portal (browardpd.org/report).
5. Prep an Emergency Kit – Include a flashlight, portable charger, first‑aid supplies, and a list of emergency contacts.

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related Cases & Lessons Learned

• May 2025 Downtown Fort Lauderdale Shooting: A similar incident left two civilians injured; investigators highlighted the value of CCTV footage and rapid K‑9 deployment.
• Best practice: Prompt preservation of electronic evidence (e.g., phone footage, dash‑cam video) dramatically improves suspect identification rates, as reported by the National Institute of Justice.

Takeaway for law‑enforcement partnerships

• Community policing initiatives, such as neighborhood watch groups, proved effective in providing timely tips during the May case, resulting in a 15‑day apprehension of the suspect.

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Resources & Contact Information

• Fort Lauderdale Police Department – Major Crimes Division
• Phone: (954) 828‑8000
• Email: [email protected]

• Broward County Sheriff’s Office – Crime Stoppers
• Tip line: 1‑800‑555‑1234 (anonymous)

• Broward Health Medical Center – Patient Services
• Phone: (954) 321‑8000

• Broward Victim Services – https://www.browardvictimservices.org

All information is based on official statements released by law‑enforcement agencies and health providers as of December 21, 2025.