Police officer shoots teen in a Miami neighborhood, sources say. He’s expected to survive
A Miami police officer shot and injured a teenage boy in the Shenandoah neighborhood after being called to the home by a fire rescue unit to assist a person in distress Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement sources say.
The wounded teen’s mother called 911, fearing her son would overdose on drugs and kill himself, according to sources. When an officer showed up with Miami Fire Rescue, sources said the teen was shot after he emerged out of a room with a gun. He’s expected to survive; no one else was injured.
Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales confirmed in a statement Tuesday night that officers were responding to a potential overdose emergency call.
Around 2:30 p.m., Morales said fire rescue and officers responded to the call and began helping a person at a home in the area of Southwest 16th Avenue and 19th Terrace. The unidentified person became “uncooperative” and grabbed a weapon — the type was not clear.
An officer shot the person, Morales added. Authorities have yet to mention where on the body he was shot.
“[In] situations like this, we have to be very tedious. If we have to be here all night, we will. We want to have a thorough investigation for everyone — for our officer and the family,” Cpt. Freddie Cruz told reporters at the scene.
The teen was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where police said he’s in stable condition.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate what transpired, as it is protocol when an officer shoots their weapon.
“The City of Miami Police Department is committed to transparency and accountability in all matters involving the use of force by its officers,” Morales said.
Gunshots ring out in ‘very quiet neighborhood’
Jose Lazcano said he was setting up Christmas lights at his home nearby around the time of the shooting. He heard the commotion of officers swarming the area, then a neighbor filled him in on what went down.
Lazcano’s neighbor detailed hearing someone yell before a couple of shots went off.
“This is a very quiet neighborhood,” he said. “Been here 20 years and this is the first time this has happened.”
Residents who crowded the closed off street shared similar sentiments with the Miami Herald: neighbors messaging each other in the aftermath knowing little other the sound of gunshots ringing out.
They also underscored how the close-knit neighborhood is usually quiet, as Lazcano noted. Homes on the street have been owned by some families for generations.
This report will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published November 14, 2023 at 4:54 PM.
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