HALLANDALE BEACH. Fla. – A suspected drug dealer underwent surgery after he was shot by police executing a search warrant at his home Thursday morning.
According to authorities, a confrontation ensued while Hallandale Beach Police's SWAT team was serving a narcotics search warrant at 704 NW 4th St. The man was hit an unknown number of times and his pit bull was killed.
The man remained Friday night at Memorial Regional Hospital recovering and being treated for his injuries.
Police say no one else was in the home at the time of the confrontation, but the suspect's family, who identified the man as Howard Bowe, say his 16-year-old son was in the house and was beaten by officers. They say the teen was also interrogated without anyone's permission.
The family says Bowe is no drug dealer and are left with many questions.
"If you have a warrant then why you going through the back door?" said Leonarist James, Bowe's cousin.
"My concern is really for my brother," said Corneesa Bowe, Howard's sister. "I mean there's no reason why they should have shot him. He has a business, an established business. He's not this big drug dealer like they're assuming."
Bowe's family says he owns Power Auto in Davie.
Hallandale Beach police identified the law enforcement officer involved in the shooting as Officer Michael McKenzie, a 14-year veteran of the police department. Per department protocol, police said McKenzie was placed on administrative leave.
No officers were hurt in the incident.