Friend of Pregnant Cuban Woman Shot in Kendall: "I Never Imagined Her Ex Could Do This"

Two close friends of Dalianis Lazo, a 41-year-old Cuban woman who remains hospitalized after being shot multiple times by her former partner in southwest Miami-Dade, shared their insights with Telemundo 51 about the tragic incident.

Alejandro Vergara and Luis Alejandro Rodríguez have known Lazo—affectionately called "Dali"—since their school days at the Lenin Vocational School in Havana.

"She is a very family-oriented, cheerful woman, always full of life, with a remarkable sense of humor, and an incredibly intelligent girl," Vergara expressed.

Rodríguez recounted that both he and his family were acquainted with Iván Granado, Lazo's ex-partner who attacked her before taking his own life. "I never truly imagined that Iván, the ex, would be capable of something like this," he stated.

Rodríguez managed to visit his friend at Jackson South hospital, where she was taken in critical condition following the attack, and reported that she was stable.

According to the investigation, 53-year-old Iván, also from Cuba, arrived on a bicycle at Lazo's home in the Country Walk neighborhood, entered through the garage, argued with her, and shot her multiple times before committing suicide with the same weapon. He was declared dead at the scene.

The two friends are deeply troubled that Lazo, who was between six and eight weeks pregnant at the time of the attack, did not receive the legal protection she sought from the courts.

Vergara openly expressed his frustration: "As we uncover more information, it's increasingly painful to realize that the system, in a way, failed her."

Court records, according to a Local 10 report, reveal that in April, Lazo filed a petition for a domestic violence protection order against Granado, whom she described as her "cohabiting ex-boyfriend."

In her request, she warned of ongoing threats, harassment, coercion, and intimidation, noted that he owned a firearm, had served in the U.S. Army, abused alcohol and cocaine, and had been unemployed for over two years. She wrote in a sworn statement: "I fear for my life and my parents' safety."

A temporary order was issued and extended multiple times. However, in August, Lazo requested another extension, fearing Granado's behavior might escalate.

Nonetheless, on September 30, Circuit Judge Michaelle Gonzalez-Paulson closed the case due to "lack of sufficient cause" and "insufficient evidence," after Granado denied the allegations. Without a protection order, there were no legal restrictions on contact between them.

Supporters of the victim have launched a GoFundMe campaign titled "United for Dali Lazo's Fight for Life" to help cover her hospitalization expenses during her recovery.

A similar case shocked the Cuban community in Miami last June when Heydi Morales endured a brutal attack by her ex-partner, who stabbed her 34 times. She survived the ordeal.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or texting LOVEIS to 22522.