MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A group of Miami-Dade police officers responded to a house. A dangerous man who had been squatting there fired at them with a shotgun, police said.
Officer Mario Bianchi was shot in the face, neck, arm, and hand. Officer Nikolas Infante was hit in the shoulder. Officer Jocelyn Arevalo had blood on her chest.
“We had a bad person on the other side,” Bianchi said on Monday.
Officer Bradley Chang was able to shoot and kill the shooter before he killed them all. The fatal police-involved shooting was on Jan. 17 along Southwest 162 Avenue.
“Having somebody recount it all, it was emotional,” said Bianchi — his voice breaking.
The department held a ceremony to award Bianchi, Infante, Arevalo, and Chang a gold medal of valor.
“Thankful that I am still here, and again, we all walked away,” Chang said.
The department also recognized Chang as the officer of the month.
“The award is for all of us,” Chang said. “We all take a risk every day that we come to work.”
Arevalo said she was grateful for Chang’s quick thinking that day.
“I’m just happy to be here, alive,” Arvalo said. “Thanks to Officer Chang for saving us all, that night.”