Kalila Hollis, a 1-year-old African American girl from Fort Lauderdale, FL, tragically lost her life on July 27, 2016, in a harrowing incident that shocked the community. The events unfolded in Dania Beach, just south of Fort Lauderdale, where Kalila was fatally shot by her father, Timothy Hollis, in an apparent murder-suicide. The incident occurred following a heated argument between Timothy Hollis and the children's mother, Lashonda Bowers, while the family was traveling in their vehicle.
Lashonda Bowers, 34, exited the car at the intersection of West Dania Beach Boulevard and Southwest Eighth Avenue, seeking help from a relative's home. It was during this time that Timothy Hollis, 32, shot and killed Kalila and critically injured their 7-year-old son, Timothy Hollis Jr., before turning the gun on himself.
The Broward Sheriff's Office responded to the scene, where they found the bodies of Timothy Hollis and Kalila Hollis near the sidewalk, while Timothy Hollis Jr. was discovered lying in the middle of the street with life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in critical condition. The tragic event left the community in disbelief, as friends and neighbors described Timothy Hollis as a loving father and Lashonda Bowers as a hardworking mother. Despite the outward appearance of a happy family, the argument that led to the fatal shooting revealed underlying tensions.
Investigations into the incident confirmed that it was a murder-suicide, with no other suspects involved. Timothy Hollis had a prior criminal record, having been sentenced to a year in prison in 2007 for grand theft auto. However, there were no indications of violent behavior leading up to the tragic event. The case did not result in any further arrests or litigations, as the primary perpetrator, Timothy Hollis, had taken his own life. The community mourned the loss of young Kalila Hollis and grappled with the senseless violence that claimed her life.
