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8 suspected gang members arrested in connection with multiple shootings and murders

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla – The Broward Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday the arrests of eight suspects they say are members of a “violent, criminal gang.”

According to a BSO press release, the suspects were arrested as part of a 33-count indictment on various charges, including murder, attempted murder and extortion.

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“I applaud the work of dedicated investigators, the valuable assistance of the District Attorney's Office and the collaboration with our law enforcement partners to rid Broward County of these heartless, violent criminals whose evil and cruel actions cost innocent lives and put communities in fear,” Sheriff said Gregory Tony in a statement. “Wrongdoers should be warned – we will not relent in our tireless commitment to keeping Broward County safe.”

(Broward Sheriff's Office)

According to the press release, the multi-agency operation began “after Sigmund Brown's fingerprint was recovered from a car linked to a murder on January 20, 2024 at a Best Buy in Plantation.”

Brown, 27, of Hollywood, is known to the BSO's Gang Investigations Task Force and the SAO as the leader of the Dania Hot Boyz gang, also known as the Grand Mafia, authorities said.

(Broward Sheriff's Office)

According to BSO, the investigation solved eight murder cases and more than a dozen attempted homicide cases throughout the county and eight people, including other gang leaders, were taken into custody.

In addition to Brown, who was arrested on August 6, other suspected gang members were arrested in the operation:

  • Kevaris Johnson, 23, of West Park, who was arrested Aug. 6

  • Gerard Charles, 30, of Hollywood, who was arrested Nov. 7

  • Vondarious Davis, 29, of Fort Lauderdale, who was arrested Aug. 9

  • Rajah Rolle, 16, of Tamarac, who was arrested Nov. 5

  • Tyriq Jackson, 24, of Coral Springs, who was arrested Nov. 1

  • Jared McCabe, 25, of Fort Lauderdale, who was arrested Nov. 7

  • Trayvon Key, 27, of Dania Beach, who was arrested June 3

BSO listed the murder cases as follows:

September 16, 2021 – Wisdom Williams shot; Body found in Hallandale Beach

April 9, 2023 – Antjuan Dobard shot dead in Pembroke Park

May 9, 2023 – Vernaldo Donner and Terri McKenzie, shot near I-95 in Fort Lauderdale; Intended victim not in car

07/19/2023 – Wayne Smith shot in Hallandale Beach on 07/15/23; died of his injuries on July 19, 2023

September 13, 2023 – Dorothy Smart was shot in the driveway of her home in Fort Lauderdale

January 20, 2024 – Terrance Farrington Jr. shot at Best Buy in Plantation

January 28, 2024 – Johnnie Henderson shot in Miramar

“Our community is a safer place today because of this joint investigation with our law enforcement partners,” Broward District Attorney Harold F. Pryor said in a statement. “Eight murders and more than a dozen attempted murders – including the killings of innocent civilians – have been solved and illegal firearms have been confiscated from convicted criminals. We will continue to advocate for justice for victims, combat gang violence and make our community safer.”

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