Miami security guard charged with shooting at unarmed men

Stay connected via Google News

Follow us for the latest updates from Unheard Voices

Miami, FL – A Miami security guard accused of shooting at two men, and killing one of them, has been charged with murder after the family of one of the victim’s called out the police department for the long delay of the investigation.

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

Authorities say Kendle said he shot the victims in an act of self defense,  stating he felt threatened. As a result, Kijuan Byrd died and Michael Smathers still remains in the hospital fighting for his life.

Kendle has been charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

According to police, the Miami security guard parked into Club Lexx’s parking lot, 15 minutes before his shift was to begin.

Police said he parked his Chevrolet Avalanche and grabbed his security gear, which included a semiautomatic gun, a nightstick, a badge and a flashlight, when he noticed Michael Smathers, 31, and Kijuan Byrd, 29, both of Miami Gardens, inside a Ford F-150 in the adjacent parking space, rolling marijuana cigarettes.

According to police, Kendle first decided to join his co-workers across the parking lot before he stopped and turned back to get something from inside his truck.

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

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

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

Kendle then pulled his gun out and shot Smathers about four times.

Police said he then turned his attention to Byrd.

Kendle told police that he shot in Byrd’s direction once — because he felt threatened — before walking toward Byrd on the Ford’s 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 later revealed that Byrd was shot 11 times. Smathers was still hospitalized Friday in critical condition.

The case gain public attention immediately when the investigation started and Kendle remained free. Many are calling the case similar to Trayvon Martin, because Kendle is claiming self-defense under Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground‘ law.

The families attorney Benjamin Crump, who also counsels the family of Trayvon Martin, said that the law doesn’t hold up. “It sends the message that you can shoot people and not be held accountable,” Crump said. “We have to seriously revise this.”

In the Martin case, George Zimmerman, the man accused of killing the unarmed teen, used the Stand Your Ground defense.

Miami-Dade police spokeswoman Detective Aida Fina-Milian said police took their time because they wanted to be thorough.

“It’s important to conduct a thorough investigation,” she said.

At the Byrd press conference at Range Funeral Home, Byrd’s parents, his sister and brother, a grandfather, two aunts and an uncle stood by as a picture of Byrd in his red football uniform, marked with the number 19, was shown.

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 mom, Arlene Byrd, said.