Florida Man Taken Into Custody After Airbnb Shooting in Fort Lauderdale

I want you to picture this: It’s 4:30 in the morning, a group of young adults is hanging out at an Airbnb in a quiet Fort Lauderdale neighborhood. What started as a late-night get-together turned deadly in minutes.

A 19-year-old woman named Myrah Zeigler was shot in the middle of that chaos. She ended up lying on the street with a gunshot wound. First responders tried, but she didn’t make it. She was pronounced dead at Broward Health Medical Center.

Now here’s what hits harder — this wasn’t some random street crime. It happened inside a short-term rental, a space that was meant for relaxing, not violence. That shift—from party to tragedy—wasn’t just sudden, it was avoidable.

The man police say pulled the trigger? Another 19-year-old, Larry Smith. Cops tracked him down nearly seven weeks later during a routine traffic stop. By then, there was already a warrant out for his arrest on second-degree murder charges.

This story isn’t just about one night. It’s about what happens when private rentals become hotspots for parties, and when simple arguments escalate into gun violence.

Neighbors Heard the Chaos Before the Gunfire

If you’ve ever stayed somewhere unfamiliar, you probably pay attention to the vibe. Neighbors in this Fort Lauderdale area definitely did—and they knew something was off that night.

According to a report from CBS News Miami, people nearby had already called police before the shooting happened. Officers had visited the property earlier over a loud dispute. And that’s not just background noise—we’re talking about serious threats being shouted inside the house.

One neighbor told CBS he heard someone yell, “I’m going to shoot you. I’m gonna shoot you.” Minutes later, gunshots.

That’s the kind of warning no one should ignore. And if you’re a host or a neighbor and you hear something like that? You’ve got to act. This wasn’t a sudden ambush—it escalated in plain sight.

It’s terrifying to think how close this was to being prevented. When police are already on-site earlier in the night, it raises real questions about what more could’ve been done to stop things from getting worse.

Have you ever had to report a short-term rental for loud parties or sketchy behavior?

A 19-Year-Old Was Arrested Weeks Later

Now let’s talk about accountability—because someone has been arrested, but it didn’t happen overnight.

Larry Smith, the 19-year-old suspect, wasn’t caught at the scene. In fact, he was on the run for weeks until Fort Lauderdale police pulled him over during a traffic stop. According to Local 10 News, officers discovered he had an active warrant for second-degree murder in Myrah Zeigler’s death.

No drama, no chase—just a quiet arrest after nearly seven weeks. Think about that. A murder suspect moving freely until he got pulled over like anyone else on the road.

If you’re wondering how someone accused of killing another teen could stay under the radar that long, you’re not alone. That’s what makes this case feel unfinished—even now.

It’s a reminder that justice often moves slower than we think, especially when it comes to cases involving private spaces like Airbnbs.

Would you feel safe knowing someone accused of murder was out for weeks after a shooting in your neighborhood?

Whether it’s a party gone wrong or a break-in like the home invasion case in Nevada, small precautions can go a long way.

Who Was Myrah Zeigler?

Let’s not lose sight of the most painful part of all this—Myrah. This wasn’t just a headline; she was someone’s daughter, someone’s best friend, someone with real plans.

She was only 19, but already doing more than most. She was a track star, a cheerleader, and training to become a certified nursing assistant. Her family says she wanted to work in healthcare—she had ambition, and she had direction.

In an emotional message after the arrest, her mom didn’t hold back. She called the shooter a coward. Can you blame her?

You can’t talk about this story without sitting with the reality that a life this full was cut short over something that could’ve been resolved with words—not a gun.

If you’re a parent reading this, you feel it. If you’ve ever lost someone young, you know how heavy this is.

Stories like this remind me of a recent incident in Hanford where five people were arrested after a shooting—different state, same concern: are our neighborhoods really secure anymore?

Airbnb’s Response Raises More Questions Than It Answers

After the shooting, Airbnb quickly put out a statement condemning what happened. They said, “Airbnb bans parties, and we condemn this senseless act of gun violence.” They also confirmed the guest who booked the stay had their account suspended and that the company was helping police investigate.

Here’s the thing: That’s not the first time we’ve seen this pattern.

You’ve probably heard of Airbnb’s no-party policy, right? It sounds strict on paper. But stories like this raise a real question—how well is that policy being enforced?

When loud parties happen at 4 a.m. and neighbors have to call the police, it makes you wonder what kind of checks are in place. And if the cops were already there earlier in the night, shouldn’t something have triggered a response before things got out of control?

As a guest or a host, it’s hard to feel fully protected when something this extreme slips through the cracks.

When things get out of control? These are the kinds of stories people often miss until they go viral. I actually saw the earliest details shared on a WhatsApp update I follow that flags incidents like these before they hit mainstream news.

Are Short-Term Rentals Becoming a Risk?

Here’s the uncomfortable truth—this isn’t an isolated case. Airbnb shootings tied to parties have popped up all across Florida in the past few years.

The Fort Lauderdale incident is just the latest in a growing trend that’s hard to ignore. Short-term rentals give people easy access to properties where parties can happen with minimal oversight. No doorman, no front desk, no real-time monitoring.

And while Airbnb says it bans parties, plenty of guests find ways around the system. A quick Google search shows multiple incidents where private gatherings turned into violent episodes—sometimes with deadly consequences.

As a renter, you might not think twice about a weekend trip with friends. As a host, you might assume your guests are following the rules. But when things go wrong, they go very wrong—and fast.

It’s fair to ask: Should there be more local laws for rentals? More tech to detect noise or extra guests? Or even limits on who can book?

If you’ve hosted or stayed in an Airbnb recently, did you feel like there were enough safety checks?

What do you think — should short-term rentals be more tightly regulated, or is this just a rare case gone wrong? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

What Happens Next in the Case?

Now that the arrest has been made, the legal process begins—but don’t expect quick closure.

Larry Smith is facing a second-degree murder charge, which in Florida could mean decades behind bars if convicted. Right now, he’s being held without bond. The court hearings haven’t been publicly detailed yet, but they’ll likely move forward in the coming weeks unless delayed by investigation procedures.

Meanwhile, Myrah’s family is demanding full accountability. They’re not just grieving—they’re pushing for change. Whether that means stronger Airbnb rules or better police follow-through, they want her death to mean something beyond headlines.

This isn’t just about punishment—it’s about prevention. And the justice system has a long road ahead.

Even in seemingly quiet areas, trouble can creep in—like the series of burglaries that hit Fort Worth apartment residents.

What You Can Do as a Guest or Host?

If you’ve ever booked or listed on Airbnb, you probably assume the worst thing that could happen is a noise complaint. But after stories like this, it’s clear we need to think differently.

As a guest, here’s what I’d suggest:

• Avoid rentals with vague house rules or no reviews
• Always respect the host’s occupancy and party rules
• Don’t ignore red flags—especially if things feel unsafe

As a host:

• Use Airbnb’s party ban filter to block high-risk bookings
• Set up noise sensors (like Minut) that alert you to possible gatherings
• Add clear house rules and require verified IDs

None of these will prevent every problem. But small steps make a big difference—especially when the alternative is something like this.

Would you support more regulation for short-term rentals in your area?

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t just a bad night. A teenager lost her life, another was arrested for murder, and a quiet neighborhood was shaken—because a simple argument spiraled out of control at a place meant for rest.

The bigger story here isn’t just about Fort Lauderdale. It’s about how we handle short-term rentals, party culture, and accountability. It’s about how quickly things can fall apart when safety breaks down.

If you’ve ever shrugged off a loud Airbnb party as “not your business,” maybe next time you won’t.

If you’re concerned about safety in your neighborhood or want to read more cases like this, check out our latest updates in the Home Security section.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports. Details around the case may continue to evolve as investigations proceed. We do not assume guilt, and all suspects are considered innocent until proven otherwise in court.