Miami Gardens Grandmother Killed When Shots Are Fired Into Her Home
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A Miami Gardens grandmother was killed when her home was riddled with bullets in a late night shooting.
Police said Thursday, just before 11:30 p.m., they received a called about a person that had been shot in the 18800 block of NW 17th Court.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue also sent a unit who pronounced the woman dead at the scene.
Investigators say, Danette Simmons, 63, was inside her home when some fired into it and she was struck. Family members told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that Simmons was known as "Grandma Dee Dee."
Simmons' family members said they think she was shot after a dispute involving the family's Yorkshire terrier. They said the dog had gotten out and was returned by a neighbor but two other people claimed the dog belonged to them.
"I just heard that somebody took my auntie's dog, somebody brought it back, the people who had the dog came, I don't know, I'm not sure," said Simmon's niece Turquandra Simmons. "I think it's horrible, my auntie loved everybody. My auntie lived her whole life like nothing would ever happen to her living here. She lived there her whole life."
Police say Simmons had lived in the home for more than 20 years.
Simmons said her family is horrified by the loss. She said her aunt was known for her kindness and generosity.
"My auntie had a good heart. No matter what, like my auntie loved everybody," said Simmons. "She was a good person, a loving person, caring person, she'd give you the world, the shirt off her back. Literally. Everything."
She said "I think it's crazy. Crazy. My auntie didn't do anything to anyone. She didn't deserve this. What I would like to say to the public is please say something."
Simmons cousin Trinity Myers said, "I don't know why this happened but I just know that I want the gun violence to stop."
Turquanna Simmons has asked that anyone who knows anything about the shooting to contact the police to help bring her aunt's killer to justice.
The victim's friend Rose Williams showed up at the home to find out what happened. "I want to know what happened to my friend," she said as fought back tears. "They need to come forward and turn themselves in. She didn't deserve this. This woman would do anything for anybody. She would give you the shirt off her back. This woman took me and my 3 kids in in 1992 and we lived together. I finally moved out."
"For someone to take her life over a gig," she said, "come on man. That man upstairs he knows what happened. And he's not getting away with this. She was a godly woman. He is not getting away with this. If they know, they need to tell. She was too good to her grandchildren."
Gariyvana Watts, another friend of the victim, said "She was the sweetest and most caring person ever. I am heartbroken to hear this."
Miami Gardens Police are looking for leads and trying to determine the details of the case and have not confirmed that the shooting stemmed from an argument about the Yorkshire Terrier. No one has been arrested and police have not released any suspect information.
It is known if the victim knew the shooter or shooters.
Family members said the Yorkshire Terrier is ok.
Anyone who can help police should call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305)
471-TIPS (8477). There is a reward of up to $3,000.
