Woman, girl found dead inside Sunrise apartment after shots fired

Kevin Nelson surrenders peacefully after hourslong standoff with SWAT team

SUNRISE, Fla. – A woman and her 15-year-old daughter were found dead inside a Sunrise apartment where a man had barricaded himself, police said.

The SWAT team was called to the apartment complex in the 7700 block of Balboa Street after shots were fired in the area, police said.

Sunrise police said someone in an apartment called 911 to report gunshots. When police called the number back, a man who answered the telephone told police, "I'm here."

Police said the man -- later identified as Kevin Nelson, 32 -- surrendered peacefully after an hourslong standoff.

Inside were the bodies of Shanice Smith, 15, and her mother, Karen Lyle.

"She was a very bright student at school -- A student," Smith's grandfather, Courtney Smith, told Local 10 News. "She had a really good future ahead of her."

Sky 10 was above the scene as members of the SWAT team, shielded by a tank, were positioned outside the apartment with guns drawn.

Neighbors posted photos of the incident to Facebook as the scene played out. 

Bernard Lee, who lives close by, said an officer knocked on his door and asked to use his window to get a better view during the standoff. 

"If he had to take the shot, it wouldn't have bothered me if he took the shot," Lee said. 

Nelson was taken into custody and is a suspect in the two deaths.

"I just couldn't imagine that would happen," Courtney Smith said.


About the Authors:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.