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Off-Duty Coral Gables Fire Lt. Hit By Stray Bullet

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Authorities are investigating a shooting that injured an off-duty Coral Gables Fire lieutenant over the weekend.

Firefighters who visited Xavier L. Jones at Jackson Memorial Hospital told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that Jones was shot in the thigh and was going to be okay.

Miami-Dade Police say lieutenant Jones was off duty when he was hit by a stray bullet just before 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Officers say Jones was travelling in a car in northwest Miami-Dade when he was wounded near 30th Avenue and NW 51st Street.

Investigators say the person who shot Jones is not known at this time.

Jones was initially listed in critical but stable condition, according to authorities.

A photograph shows he has been honored in the past for being an employee of the month at the Coral Gables Fire Department.

It remains unclear why Jones was in northwest Miami-Dade at the time. Police say he is also a pastor.

Jones has spoken out on Facebook, inviting people to attend services at his church, even giving an address in Goulds.

"I just want to invite you to services tonight," he said in one Facebook post. "God is going to move you in an amazing way. I am going to preach the powerful word. God is going to reign down his glory in our presence tonight. You know I don't play games and I don't do this just for entertainment. But I believe God is going to do something special tonight and you need to be in his midst."

He goes on to say, "Invite a neighbor, invite a friend, an invite an enemy. I'd love you to be part of what God's going to do tonight."

"The first time I did this," he said, "I had the testimony of people healed and delivered and set from financial situations and turning things around."

In another service, Jones told the congregation, "God has called us to complete his plan, not to compete for it."

Coral Gables Fire Rescue released a statement saying,

"We would like to thank Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Ryder Trauma Center for their actions in assisting our fellow fire fighter. All of us at the Coral Gables Fire Department wish Lieutenant Jones a speedy recovery."

Jones told a spokeswoman from Jackson Memorial Hospital that he would not be prepared to comment until Tuesday. His family members who were with him at the hospital said the same thing.

Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471- TIPS.

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