On March 10, 2023, a tragic incident occurred at a residence in Miami Lakes, Florida, resulting in the deaths of five people, including 54-year-old Yoanka Aguilar. Yoanka Aguilar and her son, 24-year-old Dhani Aguilar, were among the victims identified in this apparent murder-suicide.
The incident was discovered when Miami-Dade Police responded to a wellness check at the home in the 14800 block of Northwest 87th Court.
A relative had called authorities after being unable to contact anyone inside the residence. Upon entering the home through an unlocked window, police found the bodies of two men and three women, all of whom had been shot to death. One of the men had a self-inflicted gunshot wound, indicating that he was the shooter.
Dhani Aguilar, Yoanka's son, was identified by police as the gunman responsible for the shootings. Besides Yoanka and Dhani, the other identified victims were 24-year-old Beatriz Ferrer David and 58-year-old Barbara David Ballesteros. The identity of the fifth victim, a man, was not immediately released. It is reported that Beatriz Ferrer David was Dhani Aguilar's wife, who had recently arrived from Cuba.
The motive behind the shootings remains unknown. However, it was noted by a neighbor that Dhani Aguilar had been suffering from mental issues. The police investigation did not reveal any clear connections between the victims and the shooter beyond the familial relationships.
The community and family members were left to grapple with the devastating loss, and the incident highlighted the tragic consequences of untreated mental health issues and the need for support and intervention.
