Woman killed in Fort Lauderdale shooting leaves behind 2-year-old son, still hospitalized
A 28-year-old woman who was killed Monday in a drive-by shooting in Fort Lauderdale was the mother of the 2-year-old boy who was seriously injured when the two were struck by gunfire from a passing car, according to a new online fundraiser for the family.
A family friend on Thursday created the GoFundMe to help pay for Tiarra Holliday’s funeral expenses and for Deagoo Henry’s ongoing medical recovery. The toddler has so far undergone two surgeries this week.
The shooting happened around 7:55 p.m. in the 700 block of Northwest 10th Terrace. Surveillance footage shows a silver car speeding around a corner and opening fire on a small group of people sitting under palm trees. Within seconds, five people, including Holliday and Deagoo, were struck by bullets.
In the footage, Holliday can be seen dressed in white crossing the street toward a nearby store while her 2-year-old was with a small group lounging outside the store, when the silver car quickly sped into the frame and opened fire at them, according to Fort Lauderdale police spokesperson Casey Liening.
“One of the witnesses on the scene could hear Tiarra’s screams: ‘Someone save my baby, get my baby,’” family friend Angela Mathis wrote on the GoFundMe page.
Holliday was pronounced dead at the scene, while Deagoo was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The boy had a fractured skull and was placed in a medically induced coma but has since woken up and is alert. Surgeons have performed two operations, including the removal of a portion of his skull to alleviate brain swelling and the extraction of a bullet from his leg, which required the insertion of a metal plate to stabilize the bone. A third surgery is anticipated to further address his injuries, according to the GoFundMe.
“Tiarra Holliday was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Her life was cut short, leaving behind cherished memories and a grieving family,” wrote Mathis.
One other adult, 45-year-old Sheldon Lawrence, died at the hospital following the shooting. The other two adults, along with Deagoo, are expected to survive.
Fort Lauderdale police are actively searching for the perpetrators. The silver car used in the shooting was found abandoned shortly after the incident. However, no identifying information about the suspects has been released, and the motive for the attack remains unclear.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jennifer Saint-Jean at 954-828-5570, Detective Jackie Sanchez at 954-828-5539, the Homicide Tipline at 954-828-6677 or, to remain anonymous, through Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477. Any person with information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward.
This story was originally published July 12, 2024 at 3:44 PM.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Tiarra Holliday tried to shield her son, Deagoo Henry, at the time of the shooting. Fort Lauderdale police say Holliday and Deagoo were on separate sides of the silver car when the gunfire rang out.