Fight days before woman killed in 2020 leads to person of interest, BSO says
A fight that happened shortly before a woman was shot and killed in Pompano Beach nearly six years ago has led deputies to identify a person of interest.
Bree Black, a 27-year-old transgender woman, was shot at around 10:20 p.m. at a party on July 3, 2020, near 244 NW 12th St. in Pompano Beach, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Pompano Beach Fire Rescue pronounced her dead 10 minutes after deputies responded to the call.
While investigators say a large crowd had gathered at the block party around the time of the shooting, witnesses were reluctant to share what they saw.
“This incident took place reportedly where a large volume of people were in the community,” Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said in August 2020. “However, weeks in on this investigation, we have not received any type of information from the community. No calls, no tips, no support in this particular investigation.”
Detectives looked more closely into a past fight between Black and another man and singled him out for possible involvement in her death.
“The person of interest was involved in a physical fight with Bree two to three days prior to the homicide,” Det. Andrew Gianino said at a news conference broadcast by WSVN on April 21. “We believe that this physical altercation was the motive for the shooting.”
For now, investigators aren’t identifying the person of interest, only saying he is incarcerated in connection with another “violent” case.
“He’s never been charged with Bree’s murder. And he should be held accountable,” Gianino said. “It’s a senseless, brutal act of a young person being taken in the prime of their life.”
Investigators said witnesses may have been reluctant to speak up because of the history of the man now identified as a person of interest. Detectives are renewing their calls for anyone to come forward with information on the gun used in the shooting, the earlier fight and what happened at the party that day.
Law enforcement is offering a reward up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest. Individuals can anonymously contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477), online at browardcrimestoppers.org, or dial **TIPS (8477).