Following the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Myrah Zeigler outside a Fort Lauderdale Airbnb, police have made an arrest, confirming the apprehension of suspect Larry Smith yesterday. Zeigler was tragically killed in late May after a party reportedly turned into chaos. Smith, also 19, was stopped during a traffic operation and was found to have an active warrant for his arrest on a charge of second-degree murder. According to Local 10, Zeigler's family has been eagerly waiting to get justice for their daughter's untimely demise.
"I'm happy that they got him, but this still just don't bring my child back," Alicia Ford-Barron, Zeigler's mother, expressed in her grief. "You took a beautiful soul from me. You took my daughter, you took my first love. That was my first love. That was my twin," she told Local 10.
Witnesses from the neighborhood recalled a turbulent scene leading up to the shooting, with threats heard shortly before the fatal event unfolded. One neighbor relayed, “I’m going to shoot you. I’m going to shoot you’ So I’m like alright, the cops are here, everything’s under control and then I would say about 10 minutes later I heard whoosh, whoosh," to WSVN, as shared by Hoodline.
As for the current status of the accused, Smith is being held at the Broward Main Jail without bond. The latter has issued a statement in response to the incident, underscoring its party ban policy and its condemnation of gun violence. "Airbnb bans parties, and we condemn this senseless act of gun violence. We suspended the account of the guest who booked this reservation while we look into the situation further, and we stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation," the company said to CBS News Miami, as noted by Hoodline.
Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Zeigler, who was fatally shot in Fort Lauderdale. It's unclear whether the shooting happened inside or outside the property. Investigators found clothing and a slipper at the scene, which are being reviewed as evidence. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact Detective St. Jean.
