Off-duty cop was followed home, shot, had gun stolen after running errands, police say

A Doral traffic officer had just returned to his Palmetto Bay home Tuesday night after running some errands when he was confronted in the driveway by at least two men who stole his gun and shot him, law enforcement sources said.

Lt. Gary King was shot at least once in the arm and underwent successful surgery. The shooters stole his gun. It’s not clear what else, if anything, was taken. Police said the shooters fled in a red, four-door Toyota Camry.

Within a few hours, police detained two men they believe took part in the incident. Miami-Dade and Doral police scheduled a news conference late Wednesday morning. It wasn’t clear Wednesday if they were going to announce arrests.

King, a 48-year police veteran who started with the Miami Police Department, also had worked for Miami-Dade police. Now he commands a traffic unit in Doral.

Someone familiar with the investigation said he was “doing well” after the surgery and was likely to be in attendance at the news confernence set for 11:45 a.m. in Doral.

Police believe that King was followed to his Palmetto Bay home in the 800 block of Southwest 139th Terrace, before he was shot.

Miami-Dade police and fire rescue workers responded to the shooting, said police spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta. King retired from Miami-Dade police and joined the Doral Police Department 10 years ago.

Police don’t believe the gunmen knew King was a police officer. Miami-Dade’s robbery unit is investigating the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).

This story was originally published January 16, 2018 at 11:09 PM with the headline "Off-duty cop was followed home, shot, had gun stolen after running errands, police say."