Eight suspected gang members arrested in Broward after a slew of murders, deputies say

Eight suspected members of a Broward gang were arrested following a months-long probe that authorities say solved eight murders, the sheriff’s office announced Wednesday.

Detectives began investigating the string of killings after a fingerprint belonging to Sigmund Brown, 27, was uncovered on a car tied to the January murder of 17-year-old Terrance Farrington at a Best Buy in Plantation, deputies say. Brown, according to investigators, is a leader of the Dania Hot Boyz or Grand Mafia gang.

READ MORE: Teen killed in ‘targeted’ shooting outside Best Buy in Broward. Three people are hurt

With that discovery, investigators untangled the web of unsolved violent crimes, connecting Brown and his associates to allegedly committing eight murders and more than a dozen attempted murders between 2021 and early 2024, according to BSO.

“I applaud the work of the dedicated detectives, the valuable assistance from the State Attorney’s Office and collaboration with our law enforcement partners to rid Broward County of these heartless, violent criminals whose evil and cruel acts took innocent lives and placed communities in fear,” Sheriff Gregory Tony said. “Evildoers should be warned — we will not let up in our relentless effort to keep Broward County safe.”

▪ Trayvon Key, 27, accused of gunning down Wisdom Williams in September 2021. Williams’ body was found in Hallandale Beach.

▪ Gerard Charles, 30, and Tyriq Jackson, 24, tied to allegedly gunning down Dorothy Smart in the driveway of her Fort Lauderdale home in October 2020, according to the sheriff’s office. Key and Brown were also linked to that killing.

▪ Kevaris Johnson, 23, accused of shooting three people to death: Antjuan Dobard in April 2023 in Pembroke Park; and Terri McKenzie and Vernaldo Donner in May 2023 near I-95 in Fort Lauderdale.

▪ Jared McCabe, 25, accused of the fatal shooting of Wayne Smith in July 2023 in Hallandale Beach. Brown was allegedly involved in that murder, according to BSO.

▪ A 16-year-old boy, whom the Herald isn’t naming due to his age, accused of killing Johnnie Henderson in Miramar in January. Johnson was also linked to that killing, investigators say.

▪ Johnson, Brown and Charles also facing charges for the killing of 17-year-old Terrance.

The eight were arrested between June and November.

They’re all facing a first-degree murder charge “to benefit, promote, or further the interests of a criminal gang,” along with a slew of attempted murder and racketeering charges adding up to a 33-count indictment, according to the Broward State Attorney’s Office.

Vondarious Davis, 29, isn’t accused of a killing but faces a conspiracy to commit racketeering and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder with a firearm charge.

“Our community is a safer place today because of this joint investigation with our law enforcement partners,” Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor said. “Eight homicides and more than a dozen attempted murders — including the slayings of innocent civilians – are solved and illegal firearms have been seized from convicted criminals.”