The community of Hollywood, Florida is reeling after a deadly shooting on the Florida Turnpike claimed the lives of a woman and her four-year-old daughter late Friday night. The victims have been identified as Beatrice Saintvil and her daughter, according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office. CBS News Miami reports that the shooting occurred northbound near Mile Marker 49, just south of Hollywood Boulevard.
Troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol responded to a call just before midnight, arriving to find the vehicle in the left breakdown lane. Inside were Saintvil and her daughter, both with gunshot wounds. Tragically, the child was pronounced dead at the scene. Saintvil was transported to a local hospital by Hollywood Fire Rescue where she succumbed to her injuries, WSVN detailed.
The initial investigation suggests that the shooting took place roughly 35 minutes before it was reported, around 11:15 p.m. As of now, the motive and circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. BSO's Homicide Unit, at the request of the Florida Highway Patrol, is vigorously investigating the fatal shooting in hopes of uncovering more details about the perpetrator or perpetrators involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Detective Ryan Schnakenberg can be contacted at (954) 321-4247. For those wishing to remain anonymous, the Broward County Crime Stoppers welcomes tips via phone at (954) 493-TIPS (8477), online, or through the SaferWatch app, and is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest. The community's assistance is imperative in these early stages of the investigation.
