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Brothers Killed In Miramar Police-Involved Shooting

MIRAMAR (CBS4) Bullet casings littered the parking lot of the Tuscany townhome complex in Miramar after police open fire on two brothers who they said tried to run down their officers.

Miramar police said the brothers, 28-year-old Herson Hilaire and 33-year-old Hedson, were involved with drug activity Tuesday night at the townhome complex, located near University Drive and Miramar Boulevard. Tuesday night when police moved into arrest the brothers as they sat in a car, the driver reportedly hit the gas and ran into an officer. That's when police said four officers opened fire on the car, killing both men.

But not everyone agrees with the police department's version of the shooting. A man who lives in the complex, but did not wish to be identified in the report, said the brothers were there to help him move and they were not trouble makers.

"He's a good guy, he would not, he would not do that to the police, he respects police," said the man. "He cried when the last two police officers lost their lives. He's not like that to police, he's not like that."

CBS4's Ted Scouten learned that Herson is a new father to twins and a son. Hedson was visiting from Georgia where friends tell us he was an airplane mechanic.

Herson had a drug possession and trafficking record but friends said he went to rehab and got clean. They added that there were no drugs inside the townhome.

"In my residence, no, I lived there," said the man. "I know this guy for years, I never seen him with any of that garbage. He don't do that."

But Miramar police said they had reason to move in and try to arrest the Hilaires.

"The officers did view narcotics in their possession," said Miramar Tania Rues. "Narcotics and paraphernalia was found at the home, it was more than an amount for personal consumption."

The four officers who fired their weapons have been placed on paid administration leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

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