Miami security guard charged with shooting at unarmed men

Miami, FL – A Miami security guard accused of shooting two men, killing one, has been charged with murder after the victim’s family criticized the long delay in the investigation.

Before a press conference was held, police issued a warrant for Lukace Shane Kendle, 26, who is accused of shooting the men outside a strip club.

Authorities say Kendle claimed self‑defense and said he felt threatened. As a result, Kijuan Byrd died, and Michael Smathers remains hospitalized in critical condition. Kendle now faces second‑degree murder and attempted second‑degree murder.

What Led to the Charges Against Kendle?

According to police, Kendle parked in Club Lexx’s lot about 15 minutes before his shift. Police said he parked his Chevrolet Avalanche and grabbed his security gear — a semiautomatic gun, nightstick, badge and flashlight — when he noticed Michael Smathers, 31, and Kijuan Byrd, 29, inside a Ford F‑150 rolling marijuana cigarettes.

According to police, Kendle first walked toward his co‑workers across the lot before turning back to retrieve something from his truck.

Kendle told police that as he approached the truck, he saw the Ford’s doors swing open and heard someone shout, “I’m going to kill that n—–.”

According to the warrant, Kendle said Smathers was trying to get out of the Ford and “might have been pulling something upwards.’’

Though Kendle did not see a weapon, he “feared for his life,” according to the warrant.

Kendle pulled his gun and shot Smathers about four times.

Police said he then turned his attention to Byrd.

Kendle told police he fired once in Byrd’s direction — because he felt threatened — before walking toward Byrd on the passenger side.

By then, Byrd had crawled under the Ford, police said.

In the warrant, Kendle said he could not see Byrd’s hand but fired anyway because he was still “in fear for his life.”

Byrd and Smathers were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where Byrd later died. An autopsy revealed Byrd was shot 11 times. Smathers remained hospitalized Friday in critical condition.

Public Outcry Over Delayed Arrest

The case gained public attention immediately because Kendle remained free during the early investigation. Many compared the case to Trayvon Martin, since Kendle claimed self‑defense under Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground‘ law.

The family’s attorney, Benjamin Crump, who also represents the Martin family, said the law does not apply. “It sends the message that you can shoot people and not be held accountable,” Crump said. “We have to seriously revise this.”

Miami‑Dade police spokeswoman Detective Aida Fina‑Milian said investigators took their time because they wanted to be thorough. “It’s important to conduct a thorough investigation,” she said.

Family Mourns Kijuan Byrd
At a press conference at Range Funeral Home, Byrd’s parents, siblings, grandfather, two aunts and an uncle stood beside a photo of Byrd in his red football uniform, marked with the number 19.

Byrd worked as an electrician and left behind two children — a 3‑year‑old daughter and a 1‑year‑old son.

“My baby is dead and it’s senseless,” his mother, Arlene Byrd, said.