Police in Hallandale Beach opened fire on an armed robbery suspect Thursday afternoon, killing him. (CBS4)
HALLANDALE BEACH (CBSMiami) — Three Hallandale Beach police officers are on paid administrative leave after being involved in a deadly officer-involved shooting on Thursday.
Detectives are now going over the autopsy, but have not released the name of the man who was shot. As of Friday afternoon Hallandale Beach police said they were still trying to notify the next of kin of the suspect whom they describe as a Hispanic man in his thirties.
It started in a Walmart at 2551 East Hallandale Beach Boulevard and ended around 7 p.m. outside the Acqua 124 restaurant at 124 S. Federal Highway, officials said.
According to police the man shoplifted clothes and DVD’s from the Walmart and was confronted after he walked out of the store. When he was taken back inside police say the man pulled out a knife and threatened Walmart loss prevention officers.
After that police say the suspect sped away from the store in a Lexus SUV.
The store called police and officers followed the suspect.
The pursuit ended at the Acqua 124 Restaurant on US 1 where police cornered the suspect.
“They warned the guy three times get out of the car, get out the car, get out of the car,” explained witness Ken Adams. Adams was having dinner inside the Acqua Restaurant Thursday and saw the drama unfold before his eyes.
“Next thing we know we hear bam bam bam, and that was it,” said Adams.
Stephan Garcia was serving customers on the patio of the restaurant next door to Acqua 124.
“As soon as the police pulled up, they came out guns drawn waiting for the guy to do a move,” said Garcia. “I heard twenty gunshots and a cloud of smoke come out of the air.”
Investigators say they were forced to open fire, although they said they could not elaborate on details of the shooting.
However, police said they did all they could to protect the public.
“When a serious crime of this nature takes place — an armed robbery — our officers are highly trained to take action and insure that no one else was injured,” said Captain Sonia Quinones.
Police said it is standard procedure for the officers to be placed on administrative leave while the investigation moves forward.
