MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — The quiet of a Sunday evening shattered on the Florida Turnpike when gunshots sent a young man to his death, and left a community—and his grieving family—desperate for answers.
It was shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, as the northbound lanes near Northwest 199th Street became the stage for a sudden, deadly confrontation. The victim, identified by authorities as Kendrick Javonne Lesesne, was driving a silver Hyundai when chaos unfolded.
An off-duty Biscayne Park police sergeant happened to be traveling that route and witnessed disturbing actions: the Hyundai weaving erratically in and out of traffic. Moments later, it smashed into the rear of a black Cadillac SUV. Then the unthinkable: gunshots rang out.
Responding troopers found Lesesne slumped inside his vehicle, fatally wounded by a bullet to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger survived and was able to speak with the off-duty sergeant, giving investigators the few pieces of a puzzle they hope will lead to justice.
Northbound traffic was diverted for roughly six hours as detectives and troopers swarmed the scene. They scoured the area for shell casings, surveillance camera footage, and anything that might point to the shooter’s identity.
At this time, no description of the shooter or their vehicle has been released. Investigators believe the incident began as a road rage confrontation that spiraled violently. The case is being investigated jointly by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Miami-Dade Police Department.
Meanwhile, Lesesne’s family is reeling. He moved from South Carolina to Florida three years ago and worked at PortMiami. In recent days, he had planned to visit relatives in South Carolina and stop by his mother’s house in Pembroke Pines. His aunts shared photos and memories: the ever-smiling, humble young man who didn’t bother anyone. “This hurts very bad,” one relative said.
They are now pleading with anyone who saw what happened, or who may have information, to step forward. Tips can be given anonymously to Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477, and authorities say a reward of up to $5,000 may be offered.
The silence over who pulled the trigger feels deafening, and the space left behind by a life cut short hangs heavy in the air. But in the searchlights of the investigation, Lesesne’s family hopes someone, somewhere, will speak up—and help turn tragedy into justice.