A survivor of a tragic shooting at a Miami Beach nightclub shared their experience and the challenges they have faced on the path to recovery in an interview with Local 10 News.
On the evening of May 7, 2023, Isabella Urena and two of her friends were filled with anticipation for a thrilling girls’ night out at Gala Nightclub in Miami Beach. This popular venue was their preferred destination for dancing and enjoyment, but little did they know that this particular night would hold unexpected surprises.
Urena said, “I didn’t hear anything at first. It was only when I was on the floor that I started hearing it more.”
Isabella was knocked to the ground, and amidst the chaos, she mistook the sound of gunshots for firecrackers. It was only later that she realized she had been shot four times.
Urena recalled the moment when she turned to her friend and uttered the words, “I think I just got shot.”
Urena was in a state of shock when she later found out that her friend Alexa had also been shot. Amidst the panic, noise, and chaos, they were unfortunately separated.
In the midst of the chaos, Isabella sought assistance and waited for an ambulance. She tightly held onto the hand of a paramedic, uncertain about what would come next.
“I found myself in tears, pleading with him, ‘I don’t want to die’,” she shared. “But he was there, comforting me, assuring me, ‘You’re not going to die.’ I am truly grateful for him… I even had the opportunity to speak to him afterwards, and it was incredibly comforting.”
Urena endured a grueling eight-day stay in the ICU due to her severe injuries. Her bones were shattered, and she still has a bullet lodged in her spine, dangerously close to causing paralysis. Furthermore, she is slated for another surgery in the near future.
In a recent development, Deshawn Davis, who was believed to be connected to the nightclub shooting, was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals after an extensive year-long search. Davis, who had been featured on several Most Wanted Fugitives lists, was finally captured for his alleged role in the incident.
“I didn’t die, but a part of me was lost forever. We were just two 21-year-old girls, and our lives were irrevocably altered,” expressed Urena.
Isabella and Alexa have stayed connected despite the physical and emotional scars they bear from their shared trauma. They support each other in their healing process and eagerly anticipate the day when justice will be served.