A second victim has died in the July 5 drive-by shooting that killed social media influencer DreamDoll Brii, and Miramar police have identified him as her cousin, who was raised alongside her like a sibling. Authorities confirmed that 21-year-old Arthur Lee Johnson III, known as “A.J.,” died in the hospital from critical injuries sustained in the early-morning ambush that also killed 21-year-old Brianna Johnson.
The deaths of the two cousins have shaken South Florida and Brianna’s nearly half-million online followers. Johnson, who built her platform under the name DreamDoll Brii, had accumulated a substantial social media presence with a combined following exceeding 450,000 across TikTok and Instagram. She was best known for her viral song “Bend Ova,” which became a popular sound across the platform.
A third person in the vehicle survived the attack. That victim, who has not been publicly named, was released from a hospital after having his jaw wired shut.
How the Shooting Unfolded
The three were riding in a fluorescent green Lamborghini SUV around 5:30 a.m. when a white sedan pulled alongside the driver’s side and opened fire. Investigators said gunfire struck all three occupants. Officers responded to the area of Southwest 27th Court and Sunshine Boulevard after receiving multiple shots-fired alerts from a ShotSpotter system.
The wounded driver kept moving. The SUV continued for roughly a block before crashing into a stop sign at an intersection near Southwest 27th Street. Officers arrived to find the wrecked vehicle and transported all three victims to area hospitals where they were listed in critical condition. Brianna died from her wounds shortly after arrival.
Surveillance footage appears to capture the moment shots rang out. Separately released 911 recordings reveal panicked voices in the aftermath: one caller sobbing and pleading for help, another urgently requesting an ambulance.
Descriptions of the suspect vehicle differ slightly among reports. While the Miramar Police Department referred to it as a white sedan, one account identified it as a white BMW. The exact make remains under investigation.
A Family in Mourning
Brianna and A.J. both graduated in 2023 from Blanche Ely High School, and family members say the two were raised like siblings. Their loss has left relatives grappling with grief while also pushing back against speculation swirling in the aftermath.
Arthur Johnson II, A.J.’s father, has publicly refuted rumors that his son was involved in gang activity. Johnson told reporters he raised both young people to stay out of trouble and emphasized they were not troublemakers.
To honor the two cousins, a community event promoting nonviolence will take place in Pompano Beach next week.
Investigation Continues
Miramar Police Department Chief Delrish Moss said detectives are trying to establish whether someone trailed the Lamborghini prior to the attack. Investigators said the trio had attended a party at a mansion rented through Airbnb, stopped at a nightclub, and made visits to two different gas stations before the ambush, and police are actively pursuing leads into a potential dispute that may have occurred earlier in the night.
So far, no suspects have been identified or arrested. Investigators believe they have limited information about the suspect or suspects. Detectives have received a large volume of tips and are reviewing each one, but they have not developed any solid leads.
The shooting has drawn attention well beyond Broward County, in part because of Brianna’s large digital footprint. She had built a significant following on platforms including Instagram and TikTok, and her sudden death sent shock waves through the online communities that had followed her music and posts.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be directed to the Miramar Police Department Homicide Tip Line at 954-602-4937 or submitted anonymously through Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
For now, the investigation remains open, and the family of the two 21-year-olds is left to bury a pair of cousins who grew up together and died together in a burst of gunfire on a South Florida street.