Suspect in attempted ambush on North Miami Beach officer was heavily intoxicated, police say

Watch news conference below

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – North Miami Beach police held a news conference Thursday updating the public after they said a gunman tried to ambush one of their officers.

According to North Miami Beach police, the shooting occurred Wednesday morning in the area of Northeast 27th Avenue and 163rd Street, in the parking lot of a Kabbalah Centre.

The officer wasn’t hurt when the suspect fired “at almost point blank range,” police said Thursday.

“It could have gone the other way,” North Miami Beach police Maj. Juan Pinillos said.

The suspect, who has been identified as 36-year-old Evan Polinski, was taken into custody after fleeing, according to police.

He’s facing a charge of attempted murder of a law enforcement, as well as charges of DUI and reckless driving.

Police said Thursday he was driving at nearly four times the legal limit when he pulled up to the officer.

He had been arrested by North Miami Beach police for DUI back in 2017, police said.

Authorities said a motive remains unclear. Police said Thursday they believe it was an isolated incident targeting law enforcement.

News conference:


About the Authors
Chris Gothner headshot

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.

Rosh Lowe headshot

Reporter Rosh Lowe has been covering news for nearly two decades in South Florida. He joined Local 10 in 2021.

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