Joanna Telusme, aged 24, tragically lost her life on April 14, 2019, in a drive-by shooting in northwest Miami-Dade. Joanna and her sister, Stephanie Telusme, were visiting friends in the area when they were caught in the crossfire of a violent attack. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. in the 6100 block of Northwest 20th Avenue. Both sisters, who were from Broward County, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Two other individuals, Robert Allen and Jennifer Charles, were also injured in the shooting but survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation into the shooting led to the arrest of Drakar Lamar Smith, a 20-year-old man who was charged with multiple counts, including second-degree felony murder, second-degree murder, and attempted first-degree murder. According to the arrest warrant, an officer on patrol heard the gunfire and saw a car speeding away from the scene. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the occupants abandoned it and fled on foot. Inside the car, police discovered two AK-47s and a semiautomatic pistol. Smith was found hiding under a tarp in a nearby backyard and was taken into custody. Gunshot residue was found on his hands, linking him to the crime.
The case highlighted the issue of random gun violence in Miami-Dade County. State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez emphasized their commitment to bringing those responsible for such senseless acts to justice. The collaboration between the State Attorney’s Northside Gun Initiative and the Miami-Dade Police Department Homicide Unit was instrumental in securing Smith's arrest. Despite the arrest, the community mourned the loss of the two young sisters, who were described as innocent victims caught in a tragic situation.
