MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – A Miami-Dade police officer was wounded in a shooting in Miami Gardens Monday morning, according to an agency spokesperson.
It happened in the area of Northwest 154th Street and 20th Avenue, near the city’s border with Opa-locka.
A Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesperson said that medics took a “trauma alert patient” to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.
Authorities provide update from JMH:
A Local 10 News crew at JMH said the officer appeared to be conscious and talking to medics upon arrival.
Video from Sky 10 showed what appeared to be a gun in a crosswalk at Northwest 154th Street and 19th Avenue, next to a number of evidence markers.
Law enforcement sources tell Local 10 News that the officer, a member of the department’s Crime Suppression Team, was looking for a suspect in connection with another shooting over the weekend.
As they were taking out a home, a car pulled up and opened fire, sources said. The officer ultimately suffered a graze wound to the face.
6 p.m. report - Cops credit bulletproof vest for saving colleague:
The 29-year-old officer has been on the force for seven years and was in good condition, Miami-Dade police Director Stephanie Daniels said during a news conference Monday afternoon.
Daniels said the officer was likely saved by his bulletproof vest.
“He will be going home to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family,” Daniels said.
Police established a wide perimeter in the area and officers from numerous agencies were at the scene.
Officers detained five people following the shooting, Daniels said.
This is a developing story. Stay with Local 10 News and Local10.com for updates.