Crime
43-year-old Yolanda Baxcajay-Flores shot and killed while coming home from the grocery store in Bradenton
Authorities are still investigating a potential motive for this initial incident.
A tragic shooting claimed the life of 43-year-old Yolanda Baxcajay-Flores in Bradenton on Tuesday night, shortly after she returned home from grocery shopping.
The incident marked the second shooting in the area that night.
The first reported shooting occurred around 6 p.m. on November 12, with officers from the Bradenton Police Department responding to reports of gunfire along 8th Avenue East.
In that instance, over ten rounds were fired, damaging several homes and vehicles.
Authorities are still investigating a potential motive for this initial incident.
The second shooting, which ultimately took Yolanda Baxcajay-Flores’s life, happened around 7:30 p.m. on 15th Avenue East, just a few blocks away from the first.
Investigators believe that over 30 shots were fired during the incident. Baxcajay-Flores, returning home from the grocery store, was struck by multiple bullets while still seated in her car.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene quickly, and officers provided aid until EMS personnel arrived.
Baxcajay-Flores was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries overnight. Police confirmed that she was not the intended target of the shooting.
Detectives continued their investigation through the night, working to identify potential suspects and any vehicles involved in the shootings.
As of Wednesday morning, no further details were available.
Bradenton Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Brian Sands at brian.sands@bradentonpd.com or 941-932-9312, or Detective Jeff Beckley at jeff.beckley@bradentonpd.com or 941-932-9356.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at manateecrimestoppers.com, with tipsters potentially eligible for a reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Crime
Stephen McKenzie Identified as Suspect in Pembroke Park Shooting That Left Mother and Three Children Dead
PEMBROKE PARK, FL – Authorities have identified the suspect in a horrific mass shooting at a Pembroke Park apartment complex as 34-year-old Stephen McKenzie, the father of two of the youngest victims.
The shooting, which occurred on Wednesday evening, claimed the lives of a mother and three of her children.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., Pembroke Park Police and Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) deputies responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment complex located in the 3100 block of Hallandale Beach Boulevard.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a woman and three children fatally shot inside the residence.
The victims were identified as:
- Julie Cruz, 32 (mother)
- Xion Solomon, 11
- Nova McKenzie, 2
- Emery McKenzie, 2
Both Nova and Emery were McKenzie’s biological children, authorities confirmed.
Additionally, first responders found 8-year-old Phiinyx Solomon suffering from gunshot wounds.
She was immediately transported to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, where she remains in serious condition.
McKenzie was also located at the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, according to investigators.
He was transported to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital in critical condition and is currently in police custody.
During a press briefing, BSO spokesperson Claudinne Caro confirmed that McKenzie has been identified as the primary suspect in the shooting.
“Upon arrival, officers found a woman and three children inside the apartment, all of whom were pronounced deceased from gunshot wounds. Another child and an adult male were also found injured. That male has now been identified as the suspect,” Caro stated.
The children’s grandmother arrived at the scene shortly after authorities notified her of the tragedy, collapsing into tears as she grieved the loss of her daughter and grandchildren.
“That’s my daughter! That’s my daughter!” she wailed in agony, as bystanders and neighbors attempted to console her.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding the motive behind the attack, but neighbors and community members are left shocked and devastated by the brutal act of domestic violence.
“I just don’t understand what could lead someone to do something so terrible,” said one neighbor.
McKenzie remains hospitalized under police watch as the BSO Homicide Unit continues its investigation.
Officials urge anyone with additional information to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.