On December 25, 2019, 22-year-old Juan Godinez, a male of Hispanic descent, was tragically killed in a shooting incident in Homestead, Florida. The incident occurred in the early hours of Christmas Day, around 1 a.m., when police and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to a call about a dead body at the 100 block of Northwest 4th Avenue. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of Juan Godinez and 17-year-old Venicio Perez, both suffering from gunshot wounds.
The two victims were part of a Nochebuena celebration when an unknown assailant opened fire, resulting in their deaths at the scene.
The investigation into the double murder of Juan Godinez and Venicio Perez has been ongoing, with the Homestead Police Department seeking public assistance to identify the shooter. Despite efforts, no information about a possible suspect has been released, and the case remains unsolved. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact Miami-Dade CrimeStoppers to aid in solving the case.
In a separate but related incident, a couple from Homestead, Sonia Viviana Godinez-Lopez, 21, and Alberto Godinez-Lopez, 24, were arrested on charges of second-degree felony murder and tampering with physical evidence. This case, however, involved the murder of Adan Lopez Lorenzo, whose body was found wrapped in a bedsheet and floating in a canal. The couple confessed to the murder, detailing how they stabbed the victim multiple times. They remain in jail without bond, awaiting further legal proceedings.
The tragic death of Juan Godinez highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence and the challenges faced by law enforcement in solving such cases. The community continues to hope for justice for Juan Godinez and Venicio Perez, as the investigation persists in search of the perpetrator responsible for their untimely deaths.
