Donna D. Edwards, a 41-year-old African American woman, was tragically killed on December 29, 2019, in Miami, FL. Edwards, who was homeless at the time, was well-known in her community for her friendly demeanor and positive interactions with local business owners and residents. Despite her circumstances, she left a lasting impression on those who encountered her daily.
On the afternoon of December 29, 2019, Donna Edwards was gunned down in broad daylight near a busy road, an Asian
market, a beauty parlor, and several other local businesses. She was pronounced dead at the scene around 3 p.m. This incident occurred just two days after two other homeless individuals were found with gunshot wounds at nearby Oak Grove Park. One of these victims, 40-year-old Rony Dassas, was pronounced dead near a public restroom, while another man remained in critical condition.
The Miami-Dade Police Department launched an investigation into the shootings, with officers canvassing the neighborhood and distributing flyers to gather information. Ronald L. Book, the chairman of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, expressed his concern over the unusual nature of these incidents, noting that such a situation had never occurred in his 25 years of service. The police were awaiting ballistic test results to determine if the same gun was used in all three shootings.
In addition to these incidents, a fourth homeless person was shot and killed on December 15, 2019, in downtown Miami. The body of this victim was found under the Miami-Dade Metrorail. The police have not yet determined if this victim was targeted because of their homeless status.
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Donna D. Edwards. The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement officials continuing to seek leads and information from the public. The community remains on edge, hoping for justice for Edwards and the other victims of these tragic events.
