Junisha Niclasse, a 20-year-old woman from North Miami Beach, Florida, was fatally shot on the night of May 17, 2024. The incident occurred at a Marathon gas station and nearby McDonald's, located at the intersection of Northeast 159th Street and Northeast 18th Avenue. According to reports, Junisha was shot in the neck and later declared dead at the hospital, while another person was also shot but survived after undergoing surgery.
The shooting was detected by ShotSpotter technology, which reported 17 rounds fired, and investigators recovered 31 bullet casings from the scene. Surveillance video showed a black Mercedes with bullet holes and shattered glass in the roped-off area. Witnesses described a chaotic scene where a man ran into the gas station and then into the McDonald's, yelling for help.
Junisha was described by her family as a compassionate, responsible, and ambitious young woman. She was studying nursing and worked as a realtor alongside her mother, Maggy Belizaire Lopez. One of her biggest passions was dance, and she was an active member of a local dance team. Her family and friends remembered her as "our heart" and someone who was always there to help others.
The investigation into Junisha's death is ongoing, and as of the current date, no arrests have been made. The North Miami Beach Police Department is still searching for the shooter, and a $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. Junisha's mother and other family members have pleaded for the community to come together to resolve the case and for the shooter to turn themselves in.
Junisha's death has had a profound impact on her family and the community. Her mother, Maggy Belizaire Lopez, has been advocating for justice and has even been motivated to run for a North Miami Beach city commissioner seat, driven by her daughter's suggestion before her death to address the rising crime in the area. The family continues to seek answers and justice for Junisha's tragic and untimely death.
