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NMB Officer Shot Twice Leaves Hospital Five Days Later

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A North Miami Beach police officer injured by gunfire Friday morning has been discharged from the hospital and is now recovering at home.

Four days after being hit by two bullets, North Miami Beach police officer Lino Diaz walked out of Jackson Memorial Hospital with a sling around his arm and a bullet still in his leg.

Officer Diaz expressed gratitude for the support he's received since being shot.

"The support I've gotten from the community, it's been overwhelming from the community, law enforcement officers, just strangers calling and finding out how I'm doing. I want to thank everyone for all their prayers," said Officer Diaz before leaving the hospital.

Diaz Stitches
Officer Lino Diaz was shot twice while serving a search warrant at a home in North Miami Beach. (Source: City of North Miami Beach)

A picture taken after undergoing surgery Monday night to repair a fractured bone showed where one of the bullets struck officer Diaz, as well as stitches going down his arm where surgeons implanted a metal plate.

"You can see my recovery is going really well and I will continue it so I can get back out there on the street to fight crime," said Officer Diaz.

Since being shot while attempting to serve a search warrant at a North Miami Beach home, Officer Diaz has received widespread support from the community and fellow officers.

Before leaving the hospital, his family loaded up all of the flowers, balloons and gifts sent to the decorated police veteran. But the one gift that Officer Diaz carried out himself was a teddy bear with an arm sling given to him by his 7-year-old daughter before surgery.

"Obviously, she was scared when she found out and she saw this teddy bear and she wanted to give it to me because it represents me in a sling and this teddy bear, I will have with me for the rest of my life," said Officer Diaz.

The man accused of shooting Officer Diaz, Elton Bandoo, appeared in court Tuesday morning. The 26-year-old has been held without bond since surrendering to police after the shooting.

Elton Bandoo
Elton Bandoo (Source: Miami-Dade Department of Corrections)

Bandoo told investigators that he acted in self-defense. He asked, through his attorney, to be released on bond. The judge decided to consider Bandoo's request for bond and scheduled a hearing for February 19th to announce the decision.

Because of the pending case, Officer Diaz was not able to give details about Friday's shooting. He only said his main mission is to get better.

"That's my determination, my focus, my goal is to recover as quickly as possible to come back out here to serve and protect my community," said Officer Diaz.

Officer Diaz said he will need physical therapy and does not know how long it'll be before he's able to go to work. His plan for Tuesday evening when he got home was to enjoy a big meal with his family.

Click here to watch Oralia Ortega's report. 

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