MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Authorities have confirmed that a 28-year-old man who was killed in a shootout that injured two Orlando police officers Friday night may have been connected to a fatal shooting in Miami-Dade County last month.
Orlando police were pursuing a vehicle Friday they said was wanted in connection to the fatal shooting of Michael Williams Jr. on July 10 in northwest Miami-Dade.
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That shooting happened around 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of Northwest 22nd Avenue and Northwest 83rd Street.
Miami-Dade police said Williams was sitting on the front porch of a home when someone approached him and then shot him as he was running away.
Authorities said Williams was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center where he was pronounced dead after suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Viel was reportedly killed by SWAT officers early Saturday morning, hours after he initially opened fire around 11 p.m. Friday.
Court records show Viel has an extensive criminal history that dates back to 2016.
According to jail records, he was previously charged with robbery, assault, battery, burglary and sexual battery on a 14-year-old girl -- all happening in Orange County in separate cases.
Local 10 News has also learned that Viel also had a criminal history out of Georgia, as well. It includes an arson arrest in 2022.
Miami-Dade police sent the following statement to Local 10 News in support of their fellow officers:
“It’s a very sad day for our community to learn that two Orlando Police Department officers were shot last night. It’s a constant reminder of the dangers law enforcement face every day while protecting their communities. We will continue to pray for the officers and their family.”
According to Local 10 news partner WKMG, Dr. Michael Cheatham, an Orlando Health chief surgical officer, said both Orlando police officers are expected to make a full recovery.