MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. -- A woman is dead and her estranged boyfriend is in the hospital in what appears to be a murder and attempted suicide.

Police say it all happened on Northwest 189th Terrace around 12:45 a.m. Miami-Dade police say Vayola Hercules, 32, was shot dead by her boyfriend, Emmanuel Eteinne, 28. Etienne is now in critical condition after police say he turned the gun on himself.

"When they first arrived on the scene they noticed a large amount of blood outside the house. They circled to the rear of the house and they noticed some blood in the back," said Det. Joey Giordano. "During their search they heard what they believed to be a gunshot. They were able to force their way into the house (and) make their way to a back bedroom. That's where they saw a black female who had been shot and a black male laying on top of her, also shot."

Police also say that the boyfriend left a suicide message scrawled on a bedroom wall.

People in the surrounding area are shocked to hear what has happened to one of their neighbors.

"She make a difference in everybody life including mine. She helped me refinance my house and she helped a lot of people find houses," said Eunide Escarmant. Hercules was an active member of the Haitian community and helped many to secure new housing loans and other services after they relocated to the United States.

Police say Hercules' 5-year-old daughter was also home at the time but did not witness the shooting.

Trust Fund Established

A trust fund has been established in Vayola Hercules' name. If you would like to make a donation, call (305) 759-2542.