MIAMI, FL – Three officers from the Miami-Dade Police Department were hospitalized late Wednesday after an altercation with an alleged squatter at a local residence, according to authorities.
The incident occurred around 10:40 p.m. at a residence on SW 162nd Avenue in Miami. The officers, from the South District uniform patrol, were dispatched to the location where they came face-to-face with a male individual armed with a shotgun.
Upon their approach to the front door, the male, suspected of illegally occupying the residence, opened fire on the officers. The officers responded in kind, resulting in the death of the armed individual.
Detective Alvaro Zabaleta confirmed the exchange of gunfire, stating that a 35-year-old male officer was hit in the upper body, while a second officer, aged 57, was hit in both the upper body and face.
Both wounded officers were promptly transported to Ryder Trauma Center Jackson South by their colleagues. A third officer, a 40-year-old female, was also taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation.
Miami-Dade Police Director Stephanie V. Daniels expressed her relief over the officers’ survival, stating, “This type of violence towards my officers will not be tolerated. By the grace of God, they are alive today.” She added that she was thankful she did not have to deliver tragic news to the officers’ families.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation of the officer-involved shooting.