Fort Lauderdale, Florida — A shooting outside an Airbnb rental early Monday morning left a 19-year-old woman from Fort Pierce dead, according to police. Officers responded to the scene on Southwest 16th Street around 4:30 a.m. and discovered Myrah Zeigler unconscious in the roadway. She was later pronounced dead at Broward Health Medical Center.
Sgt. David Soika, a spokesperson for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, noted that the incident stemmed from a disturbance involving several adults that escalated into a physical altercation, culminating in the gunfire. As of Tuesday, authorities have not yet identified the shooter.
Witnesses in the area reported that a significant gathering took place at the Airbnb rental, with about a dozen individuals celebrating into the early hours. Residents expressed shock over the violence that erupted in their neighborhood.
In response to the tragedy, an Airbnb representative confirmed that the account used to book the property has been suspended. “Airbnb prohibits parties and we condemn this senseless act of gun violence,” the spokesperson stated.
Police are urging anyone who may have information regarding the shooting to contact Detective Saint-Jean at 954-828-5570. As detectives continue to investigate, the community remains on edge, grappling with the implications of such violent incidents in their vicinity.
Local leaders are calling for increased dialogue around safety measures at short-term rental properties, emphasizing the need for regulations that prevent large gatherings likely to lead to dangerous situations. While the investigation unfolds, residents are left to confront the reality of violence impacting their lives.