Miami-Dade couple killed in apartment shooting after two-month separation

A man and a woman were found dead in an apartment in north Miami-Dade on Wednesday evening, in an incident police are treating as a homicide-suicide. The shooting took place around 7 p.m. in a senior living complex near 14th Avenue and 171st Street, shocking the tight-knit community of residents over the age of 55.

The Miami-Dade Police Department said officers responded to the call and discovered the victims inside the unit. Investigators stated that the woman had entered the residence specifically to collect her personal belongings. The man allowed her inside, then drew a firearm and shot her before taking his own life.

The woman was identified as Denis Del Carmen Polo Fuentes, 57. The man was identified as Franky Paba, 64. While authorities have not yet confirmed the nature of their relationship, family members and neighbors describe them as a couple who had recently grown apart.

Yolima Paba, the sister of the man, said the pair had been separated for approximately two months. She described the tragedy as difficult to process, noting that they were dealing with typical relationship issues but did not expect the outcome to be so fatal. "I don't have words to say," Paba said. "It is strong because I did not expect this."

A neighbor who knew the woman for years added context to the break-up. She explained that the man had traveled to Colombia for an extended period to care for his hospitalized mother. During his absence, the relationship deteriorated, prompting the woman to move out. She returned to the apartment on Wednesday solely to retrieve her remaining items.

A spokesperson for the sheriff's office detailed the final moments of the incident. The man let the woman into the home, armed himself, and began firing at her. He then shot himself. The victims' bodies were recovered at the scene, and the apartment has been secured for further investigation.

No other individuals were injured in the shooting. The police department has not released a statement regarding the specific weapon used or whether the man had a prior history with law enforcement. The complex has returned to a quiet state, with neighbors gathering outside to share memories of the residents.