MIAMI – A taxi cab driver arrested in a shootout with police in Miami and North Miami has been identified as 29-year-old Frantzy Armand.
Miami police said Armand was involved in an altercation at a taxi cab stand along Northwest 79th Street Tuesday afternoon.
Local 10 News crime specialist John Turchin was told that Armand had gotten into a car crash with another cabbie the night before and went to the stand to confront the man and talk about repairs.
The men apparently got into a heated argument whenArmand allegedly walked to the back lot and started smashing windshields of several taxis.
People inside the stand called 911 and a Miami police officer pulled Armand over shortly after.
Police said Armand got out of his car and fired at the officer with an assault rifle. The officer was identified as a 28-year-old rookie, who has only been on the force for about eight months.
A good Samaritan, William Ramirez, pulled up alongside the officer and told him to get in his van while Armand continued shooting in their direction. Police said Armand took off in the police cruiser.
Armand is also accused of shooting a passing driver in the area of Northeast 123rd Street and 15th Avenue. The woman was shot in the arm and taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition.
According to an arrest report, Armand continued to the Sans Souci area, where he was met by a North Miami police officer.
Police said Armand fired at the officer. The officer returned gunfire, shooting the suspect.
Armand was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center with non-life-threatening injuries. He faces charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and attempted murder.
Those who know him, including the president of Central Cab, which is one of the companies Armand works for, said they are shocked.
"This guy is a very quiet guy," Central Cab President Yehuda Aroch said. "I see him three to four times a week. He's very calm; nice guy. I don't know what happened. It was a shock for me."
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken the lead on the investigation.
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