Police Search For Man Accused Of Killing Estranged Wife
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A family is crying out for help in hopes an estranged husband wanted in a fatal shooting of his wife is caught and brought to justice.
Chris Graham painted a picture of Sunday's shooting.
"This is the spot here where the bullet, where he turned and took a shot at mom after he loaded three, four rounds into my sister," he said.
Graham said his sister, Katrina Padgett, was shot in her own backyard by her estranged husband, Joe Louis Padgett.
Sophia Cheeks, Katrina Padgett's 69-year-old mother, is struggling to cope after having watched her daughter murdered, and her own brush with death.
The entire family gathered in Cheeks' backyard, remembering the family-centric business owner.
Her three businesses included party rentals, a cleaning company and a food truck. But above all, she was a problem solver.
"A star. A star taken too soon. She was pretty much the rock," said Kiva Joseph.
The family believes they know what happened to the married couple of 18 years.
A relative said Katrina Padgett was tired of "carrying" Joe Louis Padgett "on her back."
So on Sunday, in their tranquil backyard, they said Joe Louis Padgett unloaded.
"That's not a husband. That's a coward. That's not a man, a coward. He deserves to be dead or behind bars," said Sasha Johnson.
Police said Joe Louis Padgett, who has a criminal record, is on the run and is considered armed and dangerous.
Graham has a message for Joe Louis Padgett, who is facing a murder charge and attempted murder.
"Every action is a reaction, consequences you have to deal with, but turn yourself in. Make it easy on everyone," he said.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.