Andrew Pestano

Family of Woman Killed in Miami Gardens Wants to Find Man in Surveillance Video

The family of a grandmother who was fatally shot inside of her Miami Gardens home last week believes a man who appeared in a doorbell surveillance camera before the shooting may be connected to the killing.

Danette "Dee Dee" Simmons, 63, was killed Thursday at her home on NW 17th Court over what her family says was a dispute over a dog with strangers.

The Ring surveillance camera was taken at around 11:20 p.m. just a few houses down from Simmons' home. A man is seen ringing the doorbell and then waiting around on the front porch.

The Miami Gardens Police Department is not identifying the man as a suspect, but since he was nearby minutes before the shooting, the family wants the man to speak to police. Another family member who witnessed the shooting said the man seen in the video was the one who killed Simmons.

"For someone to come to her door, a stranger she didn't know and senselessly kill her, is appalling," said Courtney Johnson, Simmons' sister.

Family members said Simmons' dog had wandered into a neighbor's yard and as someone returned the pet, strangers allegedly showed up saying the dog belonged to them.

"To shoot her about a dog, that just don’t sit right by me. It’s crazy. My auntie loved everyone," said Simmons' niece, Tyquandra. 

As her family plans the funeral, a memorial of flowers, candles and pictures is growing on Simmons' front steps. Friends say "Dee Dee" often volunteered her time in her community.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Miami Gardens Police detective Christopher Pacheco at 305-474-1583 or anonymously contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.

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