Suspect accused of killing man, threatening to decapitate woman

Michael Byrd, 63, arrested on murder, attempted murder charges

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A Fort Lauderdale man was arrested this week after he fatally shot a man and threatened to decapitate a woman, authorities said.

According to an arrest warrant, police were called to the area of 801 NW 27th Ave. about 2:45 a.m. Wednesday in response to reports of shots fired.

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Authorities found a man, identified as Kendrick Watson, lying on the sidewalk, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

Watson, who was breathing but unable to speak, was taken to Broward Health Medical Center, where he died.

Detectives said a woman who lives in the area told them that she was "chilling out" in the laundry room about an hour before the shooting when she was approached by the suspect, Michael Byrd, 63, who she knew as "Jib."

The woman said Byrd yelled out, "Where is Mary?" and pointed a handgun at her when she opened the laundry room door.

The woman told detectives that Byrd fired one round at her, which struck the wall, narrowly missing her.

A man who also lives in the neighborhood told police that Byrd rode his bicycle to his home on Ninth Court about 2 a.m. Wednesday and asked, "Where's Mary? When I see her, I am going to decapitate her."

The man said Byrd walked onto his property and again said, "When I see that (expletive), I am going to kill her."

The woman told detectives that she believed Byrd was angry because of an ongoing dispute about his missing cellphone.

According to the warrant, the woman identified Byrd in a photograph and he was also captured on surveillance video at an Exxon gas station after the shooting.

He was arrested Thursday on charges of premeditated murder and attempted murder.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.