Kamarri Sanders, a 20-year-old man, was apprehended on Friday being the third individual implicated in the 2024 double homicide case concerning a mother and her young daughter from Florida’s Turnpike. Following the detectives’ sighting in Miami Gardens, Sanders was incarcerated and formally indicted on two counts of premeditated homicide.
Sanders faced the judge for his preliminary hearing the day after his arrest — on Saturday. As the severity of his accusations weighed heavily, the court elected not to grant him bail, thereby ensuring he stays in custody until the next court session.
Meanwhile, two other suspects had already been detained in relation to the tragic death of Beatrice Saintvil and her 4-year-old child, Janelle Souffrant. Their arrest occured in December, marking a significant milestone in this ongoing homicide investigation.
Details released by the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) revealed that the fatal shooting causing the demise of Saintvil and her child Souffrant took place in the early summer of 2024. The specific date for this horrific event was June 9, occurring on the northbound side of the Turnpike near the 49th Mile Marker, situated south of Hollywood Boulevard.
On that day, Florida Highway Patrol officers noticed a conspicuous vehicle at the highway location mentioned. Upon closer inspection, they discovered Saintvil and Souffrant in the car, both suffering from critical gunshot wounds—a decidedly heartbreaking discovery.
Emergency medical respondents called to the crime scene promptly got to work. Their initial assessments for Souffrant were dire, leading to her being declared deceased at the scene. Saintvil, however, despite her serious injuries, was still alive.
Saintvil was quickly transported to a nearby hospital in hopes of salvaging her life. The hospital’s medical personnel battled to save her life, but despite their best efforts, she tragically passed away due to her sustained injuries.
Delving into the case, the investigators managed to identify two persons of interest quite early. The detectives’ leads pointed them towards Antoine Harris, 28, and Jaquan Thomas, 29, as potential culprits connected to the brutal shootings.
Fast forward to December 20, the vigilance of deputies in Miami Gardens paid off. They were able to locate Harris, one of the two suspects, leading to his subsequent apprehension and placement under custody.
In a twist of events, the second suspect, Thomas, found himself in law enforcement’s grip due to circumstances unrelated to the double murder case. He was arrested in Georgia, an entirely separate jurisdiction, on an unconnected charge. Nonetheless, plans were set in motion to extradite him to Broward County to face the pertinent charges.
Memories shared by family members paint a picture of the deep bond between Saintvil and her daughter, Souffrant. According to them, the duo was inseparable, sharing not only blood ties but also a common love for dance and hosting holiday celebrations.
Saintvil was remembered fondly for her undying enthusiasm for dance, her knack for bringing people together for celebrations, and her endearing role as a lover. The absence of such a vibrant personality deeply impacted the family.
Family members said that Saintvil had a unique function in their home, acting as the peacemaker whenever disputes arose. She was the heart of the home, a binding force that helped maintain peace and unity within the family.
Inevitably, their heartbreaking loss brought profound sadness and mourning. Yet, through the haze of their grief, the family vowed to remember their lost kin, not just for their tragic end, but for the fulfilling and harmonious lives they led.