Exclusive: Father Of Man Wounded By Police Says Incident Could Have Turned Deadly
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CORAL SPRINGS (CBSMiami) –The father of a man wounded by an officer after a shootout between two cars says his son is lucky to be alive and says the incident could have easily turned deadly.
That suspect's BMW with bullet holes was loaded onto to a tow truck hours after police say an officer was forced to open fire on the driver.
In an exclusive interview with CBS4's Peter D'oench, the father of that driver said, "This could have been a lot worse. Thank God it was not. You never know what happens when a trigger is pulled. Anything can happen. Thank God the worst did not happen."
"My son could have died," said Ovide Cadelus, the father of the 17-year-old suspect Alan Cadelus. "This could have been very bad. My son has not gotten in to trouble before as far as I know. But sometimes you lose control over your children."
Detectives combed the area near Sample Road and Riverside Drive early Wednesday, surrounded by apartment complexes, dozens overnight said they heard nothing but a blaze of bullets and screeching tires.
"I heard like 10 shots and I was in my house and got on the floor," said Matthew Mucaria.
Coral Springs police say it all started at around 12:30 a.m. with 911 calls flooding in and reports of a shootout between two cars racing down the road near 38th Street & University Drive.
"I seen a car drive by at like 100 miles per hour with bullet holes in it, I heard a car crash and then like 20 more shots and I came out there was like a hundred more cops," said Mucaria.
Officers caught up with a white BMW matching the description of one of the vehicles, police say they tried to make a stop but the driver fled and then crashed, an officer they say was forced to shoot.
In a new report, police said Officer Kyle Green was forced to shoot 17-year-old Alan Cadelus because Cadelus pulled a Glock 22 pistol on him.
Police said Cadelus admitted to being an active participant in the crime.
Cadelus was hit multiple times but not before a standoff with police as neighbors watched it all unfold.
"5 to 6 of them by a tree pointing their guns at a vehicle, the gentleman inside the car was shot I thought he was dead," said a witness.
The suspect was alert and talking when paramedics placed him on a stretcher. A CBS4 camera was there as he was first pulled from the car to the ground and placed in handcuffs, cops say they recovered a gun.
He was taken to Broward Health North. Police say he was shot in the legs.
His father, Ovide Cadelus, said "He is the hospital but I have not been able to talk to him. My son is a good kid. He has been no trouble at all but lately he has been spending too much time with his older brother. My son dropped out of high school and I want him to go back."
"Imagine what it is like for the police to be knocking on your door at 3 in the morning and they are getting in your face and saying we have arrested your son," said Cadelus."What would you think if it happened to you? How would you like it. I have been living here for 37 years and never have I been in trouble before."
His son is charged with fleeing and eluding, speeding, driving without a license, running a red light and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. Police said 20 to 30 gunshots were fired.
There was no sign of the other vehicle police say they believe was involved in the initial gunfight, they're now searching a newer model silver Dodge Challenger riddled with bullet holes.
Investigators say the whole incident may have been drug-related.
Anyone with information about this case should call Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.
