Sunday, August 15, 2010

Miami, FL: 1 dead after police-involved shooting

MIAMI (WSVN) -- A man is dead after he exchanged gunfire with police.

According to Miami Police, officers spotted the suspect, who was wanted for domestic violence, in his convertible near Northwest Second Avenue and 62nd Street at around 12:50 p.m., Saturday. "From my understanding, the individual came out of the car firing his weapon. There's nothing else to do but to fire back," said Miami Police Chief Miguel Exposito.

Police said, after the suspect opened fire on the officers, he fled the scene. Authorities set up a perimeter, and officers, K-9 units, helicopters and the SWAT Team tried to locate the gunman. According to police, they found the suspect, who once again fired shots at officers; police fired back at the gunman. Officials said, police had every right to shoot the suspect. Chief Exposito said, "When there are people that are violent and are armed, you're going to have to deal with them in the same manner."

"There were over 20 shots fired, so anyone could have been hit by those bullets," Miami Commissioner Reverend Richard Dunn said. "It's almost as if they wanted to die. You cannot shoot at a SWAT Team and expect to live."

The suspect was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

Saturday's shooting is the third fatal police-involved shooting in less than six weeks. On Wednesday night, officers shot and killed 16-year-old Joeell Johnson, Jr. in Overtown. According to police, the teen was shot during a crime sweep.

On July 5, a rookie police officer killed Decarlos Moore during a traffic stop.

However, officials said in Saturday's shooting, it seems as though the suspect opened fire first. City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado said, "That's my understanding. That's the chief's understanding, but the investigation is going on."

Commissioner Dunn said, "Justified shooting. Unequivocally."

According to the chief of police, officers were trying to track down the suspect as part of an operation to reduce crime, which began after a recent string of shootings.

Police are currently investigating the shooting.

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