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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMan Charged in January Murders of
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Miami (June 15, 2023) – State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade Police Department Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez III, and City of Miami Police Chief Manuel A. Morales, announce the arrest of 30-year-old Kenneth Allen Bent at the conclusion of a lengthy joint police and Gun Violence Initiative investigation aimed at solving the January 2023 homicides of 60-year-old Marie Noel and 61-year-old Bradley Griffith. Both homicide victims were experiencing homelessness on the streets of Miami-Dade County.
“To some people, homeless individuals appear to be easy targets for attacks or abuse,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “In Miami-Dade County, this will never be tolerated. The collaborative police and prosecutor investigation which led to today’s arrest removed the accused killer’s mask of invisibility and replaced it with a criminal court case number. I applaud the hard work of the Miami-Dade Police Department, the City of Miami Police, and the members of my Gun Violence Initiative team who worked long and hard to identify this alleged killer and bring him to justice.”
Identifying and arresting this individual, who appeared to choose his victims at random, required focused investigative efforts. Fortunately, the Miami-Dade Police Department, the City of Miami Police Department, and the State Attorney’s Gun Violence Initiative team, were able to meet all the elements of this investigative challenge and take the accused shooter into custody.
“I am proud of the diligent work of our Homicide detectives, who have successfully apprehended the suspect responsible for the heinous murders of two members of our community,” stated Miami-Dade Police Department Director Alfredo Ramirez. “The homeless are a vulnerable population, and we hope this arrest brings closure to their families and loved ones. Working alongside the City of Miami Police Department, and the State Attorney’s Office, we were able to bring justice for the victims and hold the perpetrator accountable for his actions.”
“Since January 9, 2023, the City of Miami and Miami Dade Police Departments have been tirelessly investigating the coldhearted murders of Marie Noel and Bradley Griffith, two homeless members of our community who were senselessly murdered within blocks and minutes of each other,” stated City of Miami Police Chief Manuel A. Morales. “Thanks to both agencies’ detectives, Miami-Dade State Attorney’s prosecutors, and members of the public who provided tips and information, Mr. Kenneth Bent has been arrested in both their murders. Once again, our community has come together with law enforcement and prosecutors to send a clear message that targeted violence against the most vulnerable members of our community is not tolerated and that those who carry out such violence will be brought to justice. I thank MDPD Director Freddy Ramirez and State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle for their steadfast partnership, without which today’s arrest would not have been possible.”
For media interviews with State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, please call 305-547-0535 to check her afternoon availability.
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For further information, please contact Ed Griffith, Public Information Officer, at (305) 547-0535 or EdGriffith@MiamiSAO.com