Statement Related to the Charging of Man Accused in the January Murder of Two Homeless Individuals

(Miami, FL) – June 15, 2023 - "Today’s arrest of suspected killer, Kenneth Allen Bent, sends a resounding message to our community that violence against our most vulnerable will not go unpunished. Our deepest gratitude goes out to State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez III, and City of Miami Police Chief Manuel A. Morales for their leadership and for the relentless effort by their dedicated, sworn and uniformed team of officers who tracked down and apprehended the suspect. While we can’t bring back Marie Noel or Bradley Griffith, nor even begin to understand this merciless act, today’s arrest does serve as a reminder for our sheltered and unsheltered homeless that your lives matter; we will fight to bring justice in any case where our unprotected lay victim to hate, vitriol and senseless violence.  Each of these individuals have moms and dads, brothers and sisters, friends and other family that can now take a bit of solace in knowing that the alleged perpetrator has, and will be, brought to justice because of the fine work of the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, Katherine Fernandez Rundle and her prosecuting team.  Those of us who work to end homelessness in Miami salute the effort and commitment in demonstrating that all lives matter, even those that are often considered the least, the last, the lost and the forgotten.”  

- Ron Book, Chair, Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust