Police-Involved Fatal Shooting Under Investigation In NW Miami-Dade
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A Miami-Dade police traffic stop took a deadly turn Friday morning.
A police motorcycle unit was conducting a seat belt safety campaign at NW 167th Street and NW 67th Avenue when they noticed a man driving recklessly.
Miami-Dade Police Director Jorge Perez said a motorman was on foot and observed the man in his Sedan. He said, "He was at the intersection at a red light when upon site of out officer he immediately revived his engine and spent his tires and proceeded recklessly through that red light."
Moments later, police said the man struck six vehicles. Perez said that happened "for some unknown reason that will be part of the investigation."
Perez said police used radios to tell each other what was happening as the man drove north nearly 20 blocks to N.W. 67 Ave. and 186th St. He said the 32-year-old man crashed his Honda Accord into a pillar at a Denny's restaurant at N.W. 186th St. and 67th Ave.
Perez described what happened next.
"That individual exited his vehicle holding two large kitchen knives. The sergeant immediately, he was still on his motorcycle, he immediately identified the risk for the community inside the Denny's but also for a female just a few feet away. He tried to draw his attention and at the same time, this individual continued to advance, aggressively with these two large kitchen knives, towards the sergeant despite numerous commands to please drop the knives. He failed to do so and the officer was forced to discharge his firearm," he said.
"The officer tried to de-escalate the situation," said Perez.
After the man fell to the ground, police pleaded with him to release the knives. He said he did not do so. He said CPR was performed on the man.
Perez said "The overall primary goal of Miami-Dade Police and every officer is to preserve the sanctity of life. Unfortunately, that was not the outcome today despite the efforts that we could provide."
Perez told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that the safety campaign was being conducted at the request of the public. He said the Police Sergeant who was a supervisor in the Motorized patrol unit has 20 years of experience. Perez said he would be reassigned to administrative duties and would be offered psychological services.
Perez said body cam video captured the incident. He said FDLE would lead the investigation and said the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office and the Miami-Dade Police professional compliance bureau were involved. He also said a police pursuit was not involved. The officer was not hurt.
"The officer had no other choice out of fear for his life but to shoot the subject. You have only seconds to make a split second decision when someone comes rushing at you with a knife. It was something he did not relish doing," said Steadman Stahl, President of the South Florida PBA.
He said "This could have taken a terrible turn within seconds. No Officer wants to take someone's life."
The man was taken to the Ryder Trauma Center where he died.
