MIAMI, FL — Friends of a pregnant woman shot by her ex-boyfriend in Southwest Miami-Dade say she is now stable and responding to some commands while she remains hospitalized at Jackson South Hospital. The woman, identified by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office as 41-year-old Dalianis Lazo, was critically injured Thursday when deputies say a verbal dispute escalated at a home on Southwest 148th Street.
Investigators said Lazo’s ex-boyfriend, Ivan Granado, shot her before turning the gun on himself. Granado died at the scene. Friends who visited Lazo on Saturday said the news from her care team was encouraging, though they said the family and her loved ones are still processing how quickly the situation turned violent.
Friends describe small signs of progress in the hospital
Two of Lazo’s friends, Alejandro Vergara and Luis Alejandro Rodriguez, spoke publicly after seeing her in the hospital. They said she was stable and that nurses were able to get responses from her, which gave them some hope after days of fear and uncertainty.
Rodriguez said he has known Lazo since childhood and that the two grew up together in Cuba. He said her family remains there, which has made the situation even harder for those close to her in South Florida. Both men described her as strong, independent and upbeat, and said she has spent much of her life as a professional woman who stayed positive around others.
The friends said the latest update does not answer every question, but it does show progress from the critical condition reported immediately after the shooting. They said they are holding on to that progress while she continues treatment.
Deputies say the dispute turned deadly at a home on Southwest 148th Street
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said the shooting happened Thursday morning after a verbal argument at a home in Southwest Miami-Dade. Deputies said Granado shot Lazo and then killed himself with the same weapon.
Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the dispute or what was said before the violence. But the case has underscored how quickly a domestic conflict can become fatal, especially when a firearm is involved.
Granado died at the scene, while Lazo was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The sheriff’s office has said the investigation is still active, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under review.
Lazo had told the court she feared escalation
Friends said Lazo had been going through a separation and had felt threatened before the shooting. They said that concern had already pushed her to seek court protection from Granado, with a judge initially ordering him to stay away from her and later extending that order several times.
In August, Lazo asked the court to extend the protection again. According to court records, she said she feared for her safety and worried the behavior could escalate. The judge denied that request, finding there was no evidence of stalking or domestic violence.
Vergara said that detail has left friends frustrated and searching for answers. He said Lazo had taken steps because she believed she was in danger, and he questioned why those warnings did not lead to a different outcome.
Family ties, pregnancy and uncertainty add to the strain
Police said Lazo is six to eight weeks pregnant, but her friends said they do not know her latest medical update on the pregnancy. They said their focus right now is on her recovery and on making sure she continues receiving the care she needs.
That uncertainty has made the situation even more painful for people close to her, who say they are trying to support her while she remains in treatment at Jackson South Hospital. Rodriguez said the family connection across countries has also made it difficult, since much of her immediate family is still in Cuba.
The friends said they are staying hopeful and are leaning on one another as they wait for more information about her condition. They said what matters most at the moment is that she is alive, stable and continuing to improve.
Support efforts grow as investigators continue reviewing the case
Friends have also created a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for Lazo’s medical expenses. The effort reflects the financial strain that can follow a sudden trauma like this one, especially when hospitalization is expected to continue.
Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office says the investigation remains open. Officials have not announced any further action, and they have not released additional findings about what may have happened in the moments before the shooting.
For Lazo’s friends, the immediate concern is her recovery, but they also hope the case leads to a better understanding of what went wrong. Their comments came as they described her as resilient, loving and deeply valued by the people around her.
Domestic violence resources remain available for anyone in danger
Advocates urge people who feel threatened by a partner or ex-partner to seek help as early as possible. Warning signs can include escalating arguments, repeated fear, and concerns that a former partner may not respect boundaries or court orders.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE, visiting the hotline’s website or texting LOVEIS to 22522. If the situation is immediate and dangerous, calling 911 is the fastest way to get help.
Lazo’s friends said they hope others who may be at risk take those warnings seriously. They said they never imagined the separation and fear she described would end with such a serious shooting.
