Marissa Harris

Marissa Harris, a 32-year-old mother and student, had recently moved to Ocala, Florida, for a new job and was excited about her future. She grew up in the Dania Beach area and returned on November 4, 2020, to visit family and friends and proudly show them her new white Camaro. Her mother remembered her as being "larger than life," and friends recalled her infectious smile and warm heart. She was the mother of a 12-year-old daughter, Rayya Marie Gonzalez.

In the early morning hours of November 4, Marissa was inside Rookies Ale House on Griffin Road in Dania Beach. Around 2:50 a.m., an argument between two other patrons erupted into violence. The two men pulled out guns and began shooting at each other. As other customers scrambled for safety, Marissa was caught in the crossfire. She was shot in the back while trying to run for cover and was pronounced dead at the scene by Fire Rescue.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office investigation, aided by surveillance video, quickly identified the two men involved in the shootout. Both had been wounded and fled the scene. About a week after the shooting, one of the men, Jose Oscar Soltren-Echevarria, was arrested after he appeared at a hospital with a gunshot wound and reportedly told staff he was a "wanted man." He was charged with manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The second shooter was identified as Kenneth Calvin McDonald. According to the arrest report, the conflict began when McDonald spit on Echevarria, who responded by punching him. McDonald then drew a gun and fired shots at the ceiling before the two men began exchanging gunfire. After leaving the bar, McDonald called 911 to report that he had been shot and robbed. He was initially charged only with firearms offenses, including carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Forensic investigators later determined that the bullet that killed Marissa Harris was fired from Echevarria's gun. He subsequently pleaded no contest to the charges of manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was scheduled for sentencing on June 16, 2022. Following a review of the case by the Broward State Attorney’s Office, Kenneth Calvin McDonald was also charged in connection with Marissa's death. As of June 2022, he faced a charge of second-degree felony murder for his role in the fatal shootout.