Family members want answers following deadly police-involved shooting on steps of Homestead City Hall

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Relatives of a man who was shot and killed by police in Homestead are questioning what officers are saying about the deadly confrontation.

As a result of the police-involved shooting, five officers have been placed on administrative leave.

Before a cleaning crew showed up to the front of Homestead City Hall on Monday, Roy Franklin was there with other family members to see where his cousin was shot and killed.

“To see the blood and all the gunshots and all the bullet holes in the windows,” Franklin told Local 10′s Layron Livingston. “And then they open back up for business the next day like nothing even happened. It’s like, you know, they just wiped it. It’s just sad, man.”

Lagarian Smith was shot and killed after police said they received a burglar call around 2:30 a.m. Sunday at a home not far from city hall.

After spotting their suspect, officers started blocking off the area and Smith ran toward city hall.

Police say at some point, Smith pulled a weapon and shot at officers, one of which was reportedly grazed by a bullet that went through his pant leg.

Officers returned fired, killing their suspect.

“It’s just traumatic that we have to go through this as a family and deal with this in the new year,” Franklin said. “It’s just ridiculous. We need justice.”

The City of Homestead began implementing a rollout of body cameras for police officers this week, with some officers beginning their training Monday while others are already wearing body cams.

There are also cameras all over City Hall which investigators said will help sort truth from rumor in this case.

The shooting investigation is being conducted by the Miami-Dade Police Department.

RELATED: Suspect killed on steps of Homestead City Hall in police-involved shooting


About the Author
Layron Livingston headshot

Layron Livingston made the move from Ohio's Miami Valley to Miami, Florida, to join the Local 10 News team.

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