Two separate incidents in California and Florida have cast a harsh spotlight on the ongoing crisis of domestic violence in the United States, with both cases resulting in attempted murder charges and igniting renewed conversations about the resources available to victims and the complexities of family and intimate partner violence.
In Miami-Dade County, a family dispute escalated into violence when Jerome Joseph Lissade, 30, allegedly attacked his brother with a machete at a home in Biscayne Gardens. According to Local 10, the incident took place on May 12, 2024, after Lissade sent his brother a text message asking him to collect his belongings from a residence they had previously shared. What was supposed to be a routine visit quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal.
When the victim arrived, Lissade reportedly confronted him, wielding a machete. The two began to argue, and, as NBC Miami reported, Lissade allegedly pushed his brother and pressed the blade against his face and neck, demanding the return of his keys. The confrontation continued outside, where the victim had gone to his car to retrieve a flower vase. Lissade followed, and, when the victim tried to intervene, Lissade is accused of raising the machete in a threatening manner. A struggle ensued, during which Lissade allegedly swung the weapon, inflicting injuries to his brother’s hands and leg.
The violence might have continued if not for the quick actions of a cousin, who, after hearing the commotion, reviewed surveillance footage from the home. Armed with a firearm, the cousin intervened and instructed the victim to come inside, effectively stopping the attack, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office as cited by NBC Miami. The injured man received initial treatment from their grandfather before being taken to a hospital, where he was treated for deep lacerations and nerve damage.
Despite the severity of the attack, Jerome Joseph Lissade was not arrested until November 26, 2025—more than a year after the incident. The reason for the delay remains unclear. Upon his arrest, Lissade acknowledged there had been a dispute over keys but denied using physical force. He now faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. His bond was set at $7,500. Authorities have reminded the public that support is available for those affected by domestic violence, pointing to the National Domestic Violence Hotline as a crucial resource.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country in Simi Valley, California, a separate domestic violence case unfolded just days before Lissade’s arrest. On November 23, 2025, Simi Valley police responded to the local hospital’s emergency room after a report of domestic violence. According to a press release from Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, officers found an adult female victim with several visible injuries. She reported that the injuries were inflicted by her boyfriend, Cesar Manuel Zavala, following a verbal altercation.
Officers proceeded to Zavala’s residence, where he was initially uncooperative with law enforcement. However, after some time, he surrendered without further incident. The case quickly moved forward, with Zavala being charged with attempted murder, use of a deadly weapon, and several aggravating factors, including great violence and being armed during the crime. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, specifically Deputy District Attorney Pauline Demerjian of the Domestic Violence Unit, is prosecuting the case.
During his first court appearance, Zavala pled not guilty to all charges. He was also served with a criminal protective order prohibiting any contact with the victim. As of November 29, 2025, Zavala remains in custody without bail. A bail review hearing is scheduled for December 3, 2025, and an early disposition conference is set for December 9, 2025, in Ventura County Superior Court.
Both cases underscore the persistent and deeply troubling issue of domestic violence, which knows no geographic, demographic, or socioeconomic boundaries. The fact that these incidents occurred in such different settings—one a family dispute between brothers in Florida, the other an intimate partner assault in California—serves as a stark reminder of the many forms domestic violence can take.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four women and one in nine men in the United States experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, or intimate partner stalking with impacts such as injury, fearfulness, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The stories emerging from Miami-Dade and Simi Valley are, unfortunately, not outliers but part of a larger, ongoing crisis.
What stands out in both cases is the swift intervention by bystanders and law enforcement, which likely prevented even worse outcomes. In Miami-Dade, the cousin’s decision to intervene—armed with a firearm, no less—was a decisive factor in ending the attack. In Simi Valley, the victim’s ability to seek help at a hospital set in motion a rapid law enforcement response that resulted in the suspect’s arrest and protective measures being put in place.
Yet, the delays and challenges in the legal process are also evident. The more than year-long gap between the Miami-Dade incident and Lissade’s arrest raises questions about the hurdles victims face in seeking justice, as well as the complexities involved in investigating and prosecuting domestic violence cases. In California, the immediate imposition of a protective order and the denial of bail to Zavala reflect a growing recognition among prosecutors and judges of the need to prioritize victim safety and community protection.
Both cases have also prompted local authorities and advocates to remind the public of the resources available to those experiencing domestic violence. The National Domestic Violence Hotline remains a lifeline, offering confidential support and information for anyone affected. Law enforcement agencies across the country continue to encourage victims and bystanders to report suspected abuse, emphasizing that help is available and that early intervention can save lives.
As the legal proceedings against Jerome Joseph Lissade and Cesar Manuel Zavala move forward, their cases will be closely watched by advocates, policymakers, and communities grappling with the realities of domestic violence. The outcomes may shape ongoing debates about bail reform, protective orders, and the adequacy of support services for victims.
For now, these two incidents serve as sobering reminders that domestic violence remains a pervasive and urgent issue—one that demands attention, action, and compassion from every corner of society.