A grieving mother is demanding answers and accountability after her 22-year-old daughter was fatally shot following a reported robbery at an apartment complex in Miramar.
“I want justice for my baby,” said Carolyn Taylor, whose daughter, Michaela Mendez, died after being found with a gunshot wound when police responded to a 911 call last week.
According to investigators, officers arrived at the scene after receiving reports of a robbery. Upon arrival, they discovered Mendez critically injured and a man at the location whom they believe was responsible for the shooting. Authorities said the man was cooperating with police, though it remains unclear whether any charges have been filed.
Mendez was transported for medical care but later succumbed to her injuries.
Taylor, overcome with grief, said her daughter did not deserve such a fate.
“This is crazy… this is wrong,” she said, struggling through tears as she recounted the devastating loss.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation, but Taylor disputes the initial narrative of a robbery. She claims the man involved was her daughter’s boyfriend and believes Mendez had been invited to the apartment.
“She told me she’d come with me… she said she’d come,” Taylor said, recalling her last conversation with her daughter.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed the nature of the relationship between Mendez and the man at the scene. Police also have not clarified whether the alleged robbery was substantiated or how events escalated into a fatal shooting.
Audio from a 911 call connected to the incident captures a tense and fearful moment, with a man heard expressing panic. However, it remains unclear who placed the call or how it aligns with the ongoing investigation.
The Miramar Police Department said detectives are continuing to gather evidence and have not released additional details.
As the investigation unfolds, Taylor says her focus remains on seeking justice for her daughter and ensuring the truth comes to light.
“She didn’t deserve to die,” she said. “I just want justice.”
The case has drawn attention locally as community members await further updates from law enforcement regarding potential charges and the circumstances leading to Mendez’s death.
