Miami-Dade deputy shot at 15-year-old boy, grazed his ankle, Sheriff’s Office says
A 15-year-old boy was shot by a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy in South Miami-Dade County on Thursday afternoon, officials said. He was grazed in the ankle and rushed to a hospital. Authorities said they found a gun near him.
Around 3:30 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about gun threats at Joe and Enid W. Demps Park at 11350 SW 216th St., said MDSO Assistant Sheriff Fernand Charles Jr.
A be-on-the-lookout was issued. Deputies began canvassing the area and encountered a group of juveniles. A confrontation ensued, and a deputy shot at a 15-year-old boy in the group, grazing his ankle with a bullet.
Charles said a pistol with an extended magazine was found near the boy. It’s unclear if the boy was holding or aiming the weapon when he was injured by authorities.
“It could have been a lot worse,” Charles said.
The boy was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition. The four juveniles confronted by deputies were all taken into custody. Charles did not say what, if any, charges they could be facing.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is at the scene to investigate the shooting, which is standard protocol. Charles said depending on FDLE’s findings, the 15-year-old may face charges as well.
The deputy who fired his weapon was placed on paid administrative duty pending the FDLE investigation, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Asia Spann, who told reporters she’s the boy’s aunt, said neighbors told her deputies opened fire immediately after seeing the group.
“I know something serious is going wrong here because they wouldn’t be out here like that,” Spann said. “When these police got out of their car, they started shooting. That’s what these witnesses say, and these are elderly people.”
This is a developing story.
This story was originally published April 2, 2026 at 5:10 PM.
%20Cropped%20(2).jpg)