On January 28, 2024, 17-year-old Johnnie Henderson was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in Miramar, Florida. Henderson was in a vehicle with his girlfriend when a white car pulled up and opened fire on them. His girlfriend was also shot and sustained critical injuries, but she has since been released from the hospital.
The incident occurred on University Drive in Miramar, where multiple witnesses reported hearing a series of gunshots.
One caller to 911 described the scene, saying, "I’ve been shot, I’ve been shot … my boyfriend," while other callers mentioned hearing what sounded like semi-automatic gunfire.
The investigation into Henderson's murder led to the arrest of eight suspected members of the Dania Hot Boyz gang, also known as Grand Mafia. Among the suspects are Sigmund Brown, identified as the leader of the gang, along with Gerard Charles, Vondarious Davis, Kevaris Johnson, Tyriq Jackson, Trayvon Key, Jared McCabe, and Rajah Rolle, who is the only minor among the suspects.
Rolle and Johnson are specifically linked to Henderson’s death. The arrests were the culmination of a monthslong investigation that began after a shooting at a Best Buy in Plantation, where 17-year-old Terrance Farrington was killed. The investigation uncovered evidence connecting the gang to multiple homicides and attempted homicides in Broward County, dating back to 2021.
The suspects face a total of 33 counts, including murder, attempted murder, and racketeering charges. Five of the gang members pleaded not guilty during their initial court appearances, while the other three were scheduled for later arraignments. If convicted, the members face potential life imprisonment or the death penalty, except for Rolle, who as a minor would not be eligible for the death penalty.
Henderson's mother, Nekeisha Young, expressed her gratitude for the justice brought by the arrests, remembering her son as smart, funny, and loving. She described him as a football player and a bright student, and acknowledged the difficult year she has had since his death.
