Fort Lauderdale Airbnb Had History of Complaints Prior to Fatal Shooting

A Fort Lauderdale Airbnb at the center of a fatal shooting earlier this week appears to have caught the attention of neighbors for loud parties in the months leading up to the incident.

On Monday, May 19, at 4:30 a.m. Fort Lauderdale police officers responded to a call at 828 NW 16th Street to find 19-year-old Fort Pierce resident Myrah Zeigler lying in the middle of the road. In a news release, department spokesperson Sgt. Savid Soika said a group of adults was involved in a disturbance that escalated into a physical altercation.

"An unknown individual produced a handgun and shot an adult female," the release reads. "The victim was transported to the Broward Health Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead."

Thirty-seven minutes before the police received a call about the fatal May 19 shooting at the property, the police "rendered assistance" for a call about a disturbance.

Neighbors told NBC Miami that people and party guests regularly frequented the duplex. One neighbor reportedly witnessed a dozen people at the home that Monday morning, while another says the property "was mobbed" during the past Spring Break.

New Times obtained records that reveal the duplex has been the subject of numerous noise complaints and police calls since it registered with the city as a vacation rental in late August 2024.

According to police department records, at 11:21 p.m. on September 14, 2024, the police received a call about a noise disturbance at the property. The police received another call at 1:12 a.m. for another noise disturbance, where "assistance was rendered."

A month later, the police received a call about a potential vandalism. The record notes that a report was written. On November 28, 2024, the police did not respond to a non-emergency call.

Two months before the shooting, the police visited the property on another noise complaint at 11:12 p.m. on March 16. Then, on April 24, the police did not respond to a non-emergency call about a reported suspicious incident.

In addition to the police calls, there were code cases for loud noises at the duplex, according to the city's LauderBuild portal. There were different reports of noise at the property on December 6, one of which noted that the loud music began at 9:30 a.m.

On March 15, an individual reported excessively loud music and yelling at the Airbnb. A day later, another noise complaint read, "constant screaming. First group of guys screaming for a few hours. Now guys and girls screaming. Party seems to be growing."

A March 21 complaint notes that noise and loud parties have been an ongoing issue for neighbors.

"Last week, I spoke with the neighbor in regards to a party that was making a lot of noise," the code case reads. "The issue was resolved by the owner. This past Sunday, I had to call the police to quiet down the party after the owner didn't respond to my text complaining about the noise. Last night, new occupants were outside drinking and talking loudly on the patio. This has been an ongoing issue."

The police have yet to make an arrest, as the investigation remains ongoing. In the meantime, the Airbnb listing is temporarily suspended.

"Airbnb bans parties, and we condemn this senseless act of gun violence," an Airbnb spokesperson tells New Times. "We suspended the account of the guest who booked this reservation while we look into the situation further, and we stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation."

Detectives encourage anyone who may have witnessed this shooting or anyone who has information about the suspect(s) responsible to contact Detective Saint-Jean at 954-828-5570.