Eight suspected members of a “violent, criminal gang” were indicted on 33 counts, including eight first-degree murder charges, the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) announced Wednesday. The suspects, ranging in age from 16 to 30, are accused of committing a series of murders and attempted murders across Broward County between June 2021 and January 2024. The crimes took place at seven different locations, including a double homicide in Fort Lauderdale.
In addition to the eight first-degree murder charges, the suspects face 19 other charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit racketeering, racketeering (RICO), shooting into an occupied building, and illegal possession of firearms, including machine guns. Several of the suspects were arraigned in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, with others scheduled to appear in court later this week. All the suspects are currently being held at the Broward County Jail.
Among the most recent homicides were two tragic cases involving mistaken identity. On January 20, 2024, 17-year-old Terrance Farrington Jr. was shot and killed outside a Best Buy in Plantation. His father, Terrance Farrington Sr., later told CBS News Miami that the killing was a case of mistaken identity. Just eight days later, 17-year-old Johnnie Henderson was shot and killed in his car in Miramar. His girlfriend was also critically injured in the attack but survived.
The BSO Gang Investigations Task Force led the investigation into the series of murders, with the assistance of the Broward State Attorney’s Office and several law enforcement agencies. The task force traced the killings back to a notorious gang known as the Dania Hot Boyz, also referred to as the Grand Mafia. The operation gained momentum after the fingerprint of Sigmund Brown, a gang leader, was found on a vehicle linked to the January 20 homicide.
Sheriff Gregory Tony praised the work of law enforcement in dismantling the gang and bringing justice to the victims. “These heartless criminals have terrorized our community, and we will not rest until they are held accountable,” Tony said in a statement. “Thanks to the dedication of our detectives and our law enforcement partners, Broward County is safer today.”
Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor also applauded the investigation. “Eight homicides and over a dozen attempted murders have been solved, and we have seized illegal firearms from convicted criminals,” said Pryor. “This case demonstrates our commitment to fighting gang violence and making our communities safer.”
Homicide Timeline
- June 16, 2021: Wisdom Williams shot and killed in Hallandale Beach.
- April 9, 2023: Antjuan Dobard shot and killed in Pembroke Park.
- May 9, 2023: Vernaldo Donner and Terri McKenzie shot and killed in Fort Lauderdale.
- July 19, 2023: Wayne Smith dies from gunshot wounds sustained in Hallandale Beach.
- Sept. 13, 2023: Dorothy Smart killed in Fort Lauderdale.
- Jan. 20, 2024: Terrance Farrington Jr. shot and killed in Plantation.
- Jan. 28, 2024: Johnnie Henderson shot and killed in Miramar.
The suspects charged in connection with the murders include:
- Sigmund Brown, 27, arrested August 6.
- Kevaris Johnson, 23, arrested August 6.
- Gerard Charles, 30, arrested November 7.
- Vondarious Davis, 29, arrested August 9.
- Rajah Rolle, 16, arrested November 5 (charged as an adult).
- Tyriq Jackson, 24, arrested November 1.
- Jared McCabe, 25, arrested November 7.
- Trayvon Key, 27, arrested June 3.
The investigation and arrests are the result of months of intensive work by local and state law enforcement agencies, determined to dismantle the dangerous gang responsible for these violent crimes. The indictment is seen as a significant victory in the ongoing effort to combat gang violence in Broward County.