A fatal shooting unfolded in the pre-dawn hours of December 25, 2024, in the parking lot of an IHOP restaurant in Miramar, Florida. The violent episode resulted in the deaths of two women and left a man fighting for his life in a hospital.
The shooting took place in Miramar, a city known for its multicultural communities, family-oriented neighborhoods, and flourishing business districts, located in southern Broward County, near the Miami-Dade County border.
Upon receiving reports of gunfire, Miramar Police arrived at the scene to find three adults suffering from gunshot wounds. They were rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, where doctors pronounced the two female victims dead. The male victim, who is not considered a suspect, remains in hospital under police watch and is expected to cooperate with the investigation.
Investigators believe that the victims were known to the shooter and were intentionally targeted. “We want to reassure the public that this wasn’t a random act of violence,” stated Janice McIntosh, a spokesperson for the Miramar Police Department.
Forensics teams spent the morning at the crime scene, meticulously examining the area for potential evidence. They scanned nearby bushes using flashlights and metal detectors and recovered several shell casings from the scene. As part of the investigation, a black BMW and a white Acura, both bearing visible signs of the violent incident, were removed from the parking lot.
When the shooting occurred, the IHOP restaurant, a 24-hour establishment, was open. Police officers interviewed customers present at the time of the incident to gather more information.
The identities of the victims remain undisclosed. The police, while not actively seeking any suspects, have refrained from releasing further details about the case.
This shooting adds to a string of violent incidents that have occurred in Miramar in recent months. Last October, a shooting outside a Dunkin’ Donuts on Miramar Parkway resulted in one fatality and one injury, with the motive still under investigation.
In September, a murder-suicide in the Windsor Palms gated community ended in the deaths of two individuals after a 43-year-old man fatally shot a 40-year-old woman before taking his own life. Despite these incidents, Miramar is generally considered safer than many neighboring communities.
Broward County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that might provide further insight into the Christmas morning shooting. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the Miramar Police Department at 954-602-4000 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
