FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - August 6, 2020 - According to an online news report posted on the Sun-Sentinel.com, the Rodeway Inn and Suites in Dania Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the city of Fort Lauderdale, generously donated free room vouchers to the homeless. In early May, the inn provided dozens of people without a home a room to stay safe, and to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Tragically, a guest at the Rodeway Inn and Suites in Dania Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was murdered this past Sunday. On August 5, 2020, Broward County Sheriff's deputies made an arrest in the murder investigation. The murder took place inside one of the inn's rooms, according to police and city records. Broward County Sheriff's deputies arrested a homeless man, who was also a guest at the Rodeway Inn when they found the homeless man attempting to hide in his hotel room. The suspect has been arrested and is charged with murder.
The Broward County Sheriff's Office District assigned to Dania Beach, Chief Captain Daniel Marks, emailed the city manager an update in the murder investigation by stating their office received a phone call from a staff member at the Rodeway Inn. The staff member stated that they discovered a male who was lying on the floor and bleeding. As the deputies arrived at the scene, the deputies discovered the victim had passed away. Then the Homicide and Crime Scene Units were called in to begin the investigation.
The 59-year-old murder suspect was staying at the Rodeway Inn because he was given the free hotel vouchers. The free room program ended in July when the city could not afford the program. Many homeless people went back to living on the streets, and others were sent to live at a shelter. The suspect and another 37 people were able to stay at the inn a little longer due to a generous contribution from the political group, New Florida Majority, paid for their hotel rooms. A manager for the Rodeway Inn and Suites in Dania Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, stated in the report that the political group had to stop making the payments on Sunday. The exact same day of the murder.
On Wednesday evening, just before the suspect was arrested, the inn delivered a letter to the last remaining homeless guests. The letter informed the homeless guests that they would be required to check out of the inn by 9 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2020. The suspect is accused of murdering a guest who was staying at the Rodeway Inn & Suites in Dania Beach, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.
The report did not speculate as to the motive for the murder. The 59-year-old suspect is currently being held without bond at the Broward County Jail. According to the news report, the suspect is charged with a probation violation and a second-degree felony murder charge.
According to the news report, the inn's letter allegedly stated that the homeless guests were ordered to leave both the inn and the City of Dania Beach. Also, the letter allegedly stated that the letter is an order by the Broward County Shariff's Office and the City of Dania and that the Broward County Shariff's Office deputies would arrive at the inn by 10 a.m. to assist with the move and transfer of the homeless people.