Nearly three years after Ezzell Grant Jr. was found murdered in a Lauderhill parking lot, his loved ones continue to look for answers.
“I don’t understand how a person can just take somebody’s life like that and just live their life like nothing happened,” said Shuntae Lagree, the victim’s sister.
On Nov. 14, 2015, Lauderhill police arrived at an apartment complex near the 4100 block of NW 19th street and found Grant in the middle of the parking lot with a life-threatening gunshot wound.
“There was some physical evidence on scene. There was a lot of blood on scene," said Detective Derek Carseni of the Lauderhill Police Department.
Get South Florida local news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters.
Grant's family members say they’re not familiar with the apartment complex and don’t know why he was there. Witnesses tell police the victim arrived with a man in the car and seconds later they heard gunshots.
According to detectives, when Grant was found, he was dressed in women's clothing.
“I was like, 'Why was he dressed as a woman?' I said, 'He doesn’t dress as a woman. He don’t carry himself like that,'” Lagree said.
Local
The victim's partner of six years was out of town when the crime occurred and says he is shocked to learn police found Grant dressed like a woman.
“I can’t speak on what they found him in or what they say he was, because I don’t know that lifestyle. All I know is that person took this loving person away from me,” said Cornelius Boothe, the victim’s partner.
“Being that the family, friends, and his close relatives didn’t know him to dress in female clothing, it’s very hard because we believe he was leading a double life at that time. It’s tough because you’re doing like a double investigation,” Carseni said.
Lauderhill detectives were able to obtain surveillance video of the suspect fleeing in Ezzell’s gray Dodge Charger, but say robbery may not necessarily be the motive. Police found the car weeks later about three miles away from the crime scene.
“Whoever did it, they was wrong. They could have just walked away," said Mary Ann Osborn, Grant's mother.
Loved ones say they won't stop until Ezzell Grant Jr.'s killer is found. They hope anyone with information will come forward.
If you have information, you can report an anonymous tip by calling 954-493-TIPS. If your tip leads to an arrest you may be eligible for a reward.
