Mom in her last moment told her 4-year-old daughter to get up after they were shot. It is unfortunate that both of them died
Two men in Florida are facing first-degree murder charges for the devastating killing of 28-year-old Beatrice Saintvil and her 4-year-old daughter, Janelle, during a late-night drive on Florida’s Turnpike earlier this year... Continue reading here ▶
The tragic double homicide left a community mourning and searching for answers.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office announced that Antoine Harris, 28, and Jaquan Thomas, 29, have been charged with the murders, following months of investigation.
Authorities allege that on June 7, around 11:15 p.m., the two men opened fire on Saintvil’s vehicle near Hollywood Boulevard and Mile Marker 49. Janelle was killed at the scene, while Saintvil succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
Harris was arrested on Friday in Miami Gardens, while Thomas, already incarcerated in Georgia on unrelated charges, was also charged with the murders. Both men will be extradited to Broward County to face justice.
“This is one of those cases that truly breaks your heart,” said Broward County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Claudinne Caro. “We’re talking about a mom and her 4-year-old daughter shot to death inside their vehicle.”
Authorities are still working to determine a motive, exploring whether the shooting stemmed from road rage or if Saintvil and her daughter were targeted. Detectives continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward, emphasizing the need for answers in the senseless crime.
Final Moments Captured in 911 Call
In heartbreaking detail, transcripts of a 911 call from Saintvil on the night of the shooting reveal her desperate attempts to comfort her daughter during their final moments. “The caller kept stating, ‘Where’s the baby,’ and ‘Get up, get up,’” the dispatcher reported, according to WSVN.
Motorist Anyley Cabrera, who passed by the scene that night, described the shocking aftermath. “The car was destroyed,” she told CBS affiliate WFOR. The vehicle, riddled with bullet holes, bore witness to the violent attack.
A Family’s Grief and Plea for Justice
Saintvil’s family has been left shattered by the tragedy. Her sister, Kyanna Librun, expressed the family’s anguish and determination to seek answers. “We want to know who did it. We want to see their face and ask them why. Why? A 4-year-old baby girl and a 27-year-old mother who never had a problem with anyone—why?”
The family also launched a GoFundMe page in memory of Beatrice and Janelle, honoring their warmth, kindness, and enduring spirit.
Community Outcry and Upcoming Court Proceedings
Authorities offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, which may have played a role in identifying Harris and Thomas as suspects. While the exact connection between the men and the victims remains unclear, both face two counts of first-degree murder.
The suspects are expected to be booked in Broward County’s Main Jail following their extradition. As the case moves forward, the community continues to grapple with the loss of a young mother and her child, hoping justice will bring some measure of peace.
