HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A 28-year-old Hollywood police officer has died in the line of duty after being shot by a suspect Sunday night.
He has been identified as Officer Yandy Chirino, Hollywood Police Chief Chris O’Brien confirmed Monday morning.
According to the chief, officers responded to the 4000th block of North Hills Drive around 10:30 p.m. Sunday after receiving reports about a suspicious person in the area.
Neighbors say they noticed someone riding a bike going driveway to driveway, grabbing door handles of cars.
O’Brien said officers made contact with the suspect, Jason Banegas, 18, and Chirino was shot as the suspect fought against the officers.
A Local 10 News crew was at the scene near the Emerald Hills Country Club Monday morning as about every law enforcement agency in Broward County was in the area.
Police were seen going door-to-door, and armed officers and K-9s were walking around the upscale neighborhood, which is made up of mostly Orthodox Jewish residents.
“It was very scary. We didn’t know what was going on,” said Meghann Schwartz, who lives in the typically quiet area.
WATCH: Motorcade procession as Chirino’s body was taken from Memorial Regional Hospital to the Broward medical examiner’s office in Dania Beach on Monday afternoon:
O’Brien confirmed that officers at the scene detained the suspect as other officers rendered aid to Chirino.
O’Brien said officers drove Chirino to Memorial Regional Hospital, where the officer later died.
Colleagues and loved ones of the officer were seen leaving the emergency room in the early morning hours. There were tearful embraces among family and officers after they learned of Chirino’s fate.
“The medical staff there worked tirelessly to save his life, but the injuries were too severe and Officer Chirino passed away,” O’Brien said.
Hollywood police vehicles surrounded the hospital for hours. Officers were seen entering and exiting the hospital as emotions were running high.
Chirino’s body was then taken in a motorcade procession from Memorial Regional to the Broward County medical examiner’s office in Dania Beach on Monday afternoon.
WATCH: Hollywood police chief speaks about shooting that left 1 officer dead:
“He was a great officer and will have a lasting impact on our community,” O’Brien said, adding that Chirino “gave his life honorably and without hesitation.”
The chief said Chirino, a graduate of Miami Coral Park Senior High, will be remembered for his selfless acts while working for the police department and for making the ultimate sacrifice for his community.
According to the police chief, Chirino has worked for the Hollywood Police Department since 2017 and has been recognized multiple times for his outstanding work ethic. He was also recognized as Officer of the Month in June 2020.
The American flag outside the Hollywood Police Department has since been lowered to half-staff.
That flag is actually right in the middle of a touching memorial for other Hollywood police officers who were killed in the line of duty.
“To Officer Chirino’s family, I offer you my deepest condolences,” O’Brien said. “Your son selflessly devoted his life to law enforcement. He was a great officer and will leave a lasting impact on our community. I know that there are no words that can comfort the pain that your family is feeling right now, and that pain extends here with his brothers and sisters at our department. The Hollywood Police family will stand beside you in the difficult days ahead and will always carry Officer Chirino’s legacy.”
A prayer vigil has been scheduled for Thursday evening.
Banegas is facing multiple charges, including armed burglary, battery on an officer, carrying a concealed firearm, grand theft of a firearm, resisting with violence and first-degree murder.
He was booked into the Broward County Main Jail Monday evening.
Despite his young age, O’Brien said the suspect has a lengthy arrest history.
Following the shooting, police departments from around South Florida have been offering their condolences to Chirino’s family, friends and colleagues.