HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Hallandale Beach police arrested a 21-year-old man Wednesday who they said fatally shot a Hollywood woman the same age as him and then threw her from a vehicle back in early March.
Police said Mikesha Johnson, who would’ve turned 22 on Thursday, was shot and killed by Omar Simpson after an argument at a house party in Hollywood just after 4 a.m. on March 5.
The dispute involved Simpson and other men over items that were reportedly stolen, according to Michelle Johnson, the victim’s sister.
Michelle Johnson told Local 10 News back in March that men at the party had threatened to kill her sister if the items were not returned.
Investigators later found out that Mikesha Johnson and Simpson met at the party and left together in a car.
On the morning of the shooting, Hallandale Beach police were alerted to a scene along U.S. 1 and Pembroke Road, where witness Lequan Payne told Local 10 News that he saw Mikesha Johnson collapse.
Payne said he approached the victim and checked on her after she fell hard. He then began directing traffic to protect her and later learned from other witnesses that Johnson had been thrown from the Acura MDX Simpson was driving.
Michelle Johnson also claimed that Simpson crashed into a tree shortly after the incident.
Police said the witnesses called 911 and Mikesha Johnson was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later died from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Surveillance video captures her final moments after Mikesha Johnson was shot and then thrown from her vehicle along Pembroke Road. The vehicle then crashes into a tree, with two people seen running away.
Police said Simpson, who has the word “chosen” neck on his mugshot is being held without bond at the Broward Main Jail, where he faces one count of first-degree premeditated murder.
Sheila Zolnoor, a member of Omar Simpson’s defense counsel, sent a statement to Local 10 News on Thursday asserting Simpson’s innocence.
“My client is innocent of the charges,” Zolnoor said. “While this is a tragic loss for the victim and her family, my client is not the responsible party. I believe that this will become evident to the public once more facts come to light.
Police said their investigation of the case is ongoing and anyone with additional information is urged to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.