Four lives lost in Pembroke Park shooting: mother and three sons killed, shooter and surviving child hospitalized

Pembroke Park, Florida – A heartbreaking incident unfolded on the evening of March 26, 2025, in Pembroke Park, leaving a mother and her three sons dead. Julie Cruz, along with her three children, Nova, Emery, and Xion, was tragically shot and killed inside her home. The incident has shocked the community, and Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) detectives are leading an investigation to determine the events that led to this horrific crime.

At approximately 7:36 p.m., Broward County Regional Communications received an alarming call reporting a shooting at a residence located at 3181 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd. Officers from the Pembroke Park Police Department (PPPD), along with deputies from the BSO and officers from the Hallandale Beach Police Department (HBPD), quickly responded to the scene.

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When authorities arrived, they found a gruesome scene. Six people were discovered inside the home, with four of them, including Cruz and her three sons, having suffered fatal gunshot wounds. The victims were found in the residence, lifeless and in the aftermath of the brutal shooting. Cruz’s daughter, Phiinyx Solomon, was also found at the scene, suffering from gunshot wounds.

Authorities believe that the apparent shooter, Stephen McKenzie, was responsible for the deaths of Cruz and her children. McKenzie was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was subsequently taken into custody. He, along with Cruz’s daughter, was rushed to a nearby hospital by Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue for treatment. McKenzie remains in the hospital, and charges against him are still pending.

Broward Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit detectives have taken over the investigation at the request of the Pembroke Park Police Department. The detectives are working diligently to piece together the details of the tragedy and understand the events that led up to the deadly shooting. The investigation revealed that McKenzie and Cruz shared two children, Nova and Emery, both of whom were tragically killed in the attack. Cruz’s other son, Xion, and daughter Phiinyx, had a different father.

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As the investigation continues, the community is left in mourning over the devastating loss of a mother and her three children. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward. The death of Julie Cruz and her children has left a hole in the hearts of those who knew them, and the tragedy has deeply impacted the Pembroke Park area.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office continues to lead the investigation, with further updates expected as more information becomes available. In the meantime, residents and families in the area are grappling with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, hoping for justice and answers in the days to come.