Nursing school grad shot dead at house party | Miami Herald

A recent nursing school graduate was killed over the weekend after she was caught in crossfire at a Miami Gardens house party.

Alexandra Dean, 23, was at the party shortly before 11 Saturday night when people began fighting outside the home, 40 NE 212th Ter. Someone opened fire, and Dean was shot, according to Miami Gardens police. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue took her to Aventura Hospital, where she died.

A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Dean graduated a few weeks ago from Nova Southeastern University with a degree in nursing. On Sunday, her friends and sorority sisters took to social media to remember “a beautiful soul.”

Taylor Shaw, 23, had spoken to her high school friend two weeks ago to congratulate her on graduating. I’m rooting for you, she remembers telling her Parkway Academy high school classmate.

“She was always there for you,” Shaw said. “She was just perfect.”

A GoFundMe set up early Sunday afternoon has raised about $1,000. Dean, according to the GoFundMe description, was following in her mother’s footsteps to become a registered nurse. Her grandfather died a week ago in Jamaica.

Jessica Meijia got a text just before midnight Saturday, saying her high school classmate had been shot. She stayed up, waiting, until 3 a.m. Sunday when she heard that Dean had died.

“When I heard she didn’t make it, I was just confused,” the 23-year-old said.

She said that throughout high school, Dean was focused on her future.

“I have never met anyone so determined in my life to be successful,” she said.

Julie Spechler, a spokeswoman for Nova Southeastern University, said Dean was a good student who succeeded in a tough program.

“Alexandra was beloved by her fellow students and faculty, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family,” she said.

Spechler said friends, students and faculty can meet at the nursing school at noon Monday for counseling and to remember Dean. Tentative plans for a vigil honoring Dean in the near future are being discussed.

Police have not released information on suspects involved in the shooting.