Woman shot in face while walking to bus stop in southwest Miami-Dade

Homestead Senior High School student, 18, might lose eye, police say

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – An 18-year-old woman was shot early Tuesday by her ex-boyfriend while walking to a bus stop in southwest Miami-Dade County, police said.

Gennavi Small and two others were walking to the bus stop near Southwest 129th Place and Southwest 244th Street shortly before 6:30 a.m. when she was approached by her ex-boyfriend and shot in the face, Miami-Dade police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said.

A witness said she heard five to eight shots. 

"I saw the young lady laying on the ground," another witness, Rodric Brummag, said. "I asked her if she was OK, and she said, 'No.' She said she (needed) help." 

According to an arrest report, Small saw her ex-boyfriend, Darius Chaney, 19, approaching her and told him to leave.

Police said he complied but returned a second time and opened fire at the group, striking Small in the face. 

"No direct target," Small's mother, Terrella Small, said. "He just pointed the gun and (fired) multiple shots and she got hit and everyone took of running."

"She was definitely wounded in the face. She had bad wounds, bad trauma, but she was a strong, she was very strong, and (a) polite young lady through the whole situation," Brummag said.

Small is a senior at Homestead Senior High School. She was taken to Jackson South Community Hospital, where she was listed in critical but stable condition.

Police said Small suffered a broken orbital bone and might lose her right eye. 

Police apprehended Chaney shortly after the shooting for questioning and later arrested him on charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm. 

Small told detectives at the hospital that she was dating Chaney for several weeks before breaking up with him in November. 

Small's mother told Local 10 News reporter Michael Seiden that Chaney was her daughter's childhood friend. She said her daughter is an aspiring orthodontist. 

Police said Chaney denied having any involvement in the shooting. 


About the Authors:

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

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