Woman Accused of Killing Miami-Dade Victim Before Friend Pepper-Sprayed Her as She Lay Dying

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY — A woman is now facing a murder charge after deputies say she shot a 28-year-old woman in West Little River, while another woman involved in the dispute allegedly pepper-sprayed the victim after she collapsed on the ground.

The deadly shooting happened on April 29 near Northwest 22nd Avenue and 90th Street in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.

Authorities identified the victim as 28-year-old Saian Aquila Civil.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the incident started with a dispute between Civil and 30-year-old Dekia Best. Investigators say Best later returned to the area with 44-year-old Nehekia Nicole Holloway to confront Civil again.

Deputies said the confrontation escalated just after 1:30 p.m. when Holloway allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Civil in the abdomen.

After Civil fell to the ground, investigators say Best then pepper-sprayed her while she was already wounded and dying.

Deputies arrested Best at the scene, but Holloway allegedly fled in Best’s vehicle before law enforcement could take her into custody.

Several bystanders later identified Holloway as the shooter, according to the arrest report. Detectives also reviewed surveillance footage that they say showed Holloway leaving her apartment around 1:15 p.m. wearing a gray hoodie before the shooting.

Investigators say she later returned to the apartment building in a disguise, wearing what looked like a blue mechanic-style uniform and a yellow and black cap.

Later that same night, shortly before 10:35 p.m., deputies say surveillance video showed Holloway being escorted out of the apartment by several people who appeared to be acting as lookouts. Authorities said she tried to conceal herself under a Hello Kitty blanket while leaving.

Detectives eventually located Holloway and arrested her Friday.

According to the arrest report, Holloway admitted she traveled to the scene and confronted Civil, but denied being the person who shot her. Deputies said once she was shown evidence that contradicted her denial, she invoked her right to remain silent.

Holloway is now charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. A Miami-Dade judge ordered her held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

Best is facing a misdemeanor battery charge tied to the pepper-spraying allegation. Court records show she was released from jail on a $1,000 bond the day after the shooting and is scheduled for arraignment.

The killing has left investigators piecing together how a dispute turned into a deadly confrontation in broad daylight, ending with one woman dead, another accused of murder, and a second suspect accused of attacking the victim as she lay on the ground.