MIAMI – A shooting involving a Miami police officer occurred Friday morning near Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, authorities confirmed.
Local 10 News reporter Annaliese Garcia, who was in the area at the time, said she was walking into a nearby Starbucks when she spotted a man with a knife.
She said everyone immediately ran to the back of the coffee shop, in fear for their lives.
She said officers followed the man toward the hospital before the shooting occurred.
Officer Rafael Horta, a spokesman for the Miami Police Department, confirmed that officers encountered the knife-wielding suspect near the 700 block of Northwest 17th Street after receiving a call around 9:50 a.m. about a “violent dispute” between two men.
After refusing to comply with demands, Horta said one officer fired their weapon, striking the suspect at least once, and the suspect then ran toward the hospital before he was apprehended.
“For some reason, when the cops were chasing him, he turned back around – back towards the corner – and the cops had guns out on him and I guess Tasers also,” one witness told Local 10 News.
“Next thing you know, he was standing out and running out onto the street and holding a bigger knife out at police,” said another witness.
The suspect, whose identity has not yet been released, is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital, Horta confirmed. His condition has not been released.
While there are some road closures in place, Horta said people are still able to access the hospital if they need to be seen or are an employee.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting, he said.
No other details were immediately released.
3 p.m. live report