TAMARAC, FL – In a tragic turn of events in Tamarac, Florida on Saturday, a 3-year-old girl was fatally shot at a Broward County Extended Stay America. Authorities report that they had detained two individuals in the neighboring city of Lauderhill later that day in connection to the shooting but were subsequently released.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office received a notification about the shooting near the 3000 block of West Commercial Boulevard in Tamarac around 8:19 a.m., sending Deputies and Tamarac Fire Rescue in response to the alarming report.
Upon their arrival at the scene, deputies found the child with a gunshot injury. There was a woman present at the scene; however, her relationship to the toddler remains unknown. The child, identified as Deyonnie, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The victim’s distraught mother shared with CBS News that Deyonnie was a vibrant, energetic girl who was the life of their family. She was known for her fondness for yogurt, bright shoes, and her friendly demeanor. With her fourth birthday on the year-end, the family planned to visit Disney World to celebrate, making the timing of her death even more heartbreaking.
There are conflicting views on the circumstances of the fatal incident, with some suggesting that she was shot while running around the motel, while others hinting that the child could have accidentally shot herself.
Gwen Denton, a resident at the motel since June, wasn’t entirely shocked by the incident, citing the prevalent drug use and suspicious activities at the location.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident, and anyone with potential information is urged to reach out to Broward County Crime Stoppers.