MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Local 10 News exclusively obtained body camera video Tuesday showing a man holding a store employee and a young girl at knifepoint just before he was shot and killed by Miami Beach police at a Victoria’s Secret store last year.
The video, released by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, shows Miami Beach police officers shooting 29-year-old Darien Young, who they said was holding the two victims at knifepoint inside a Victoria’s Secret store on July 27, 2023.
Police said it all stemmed from a disturbance call that came in just after 5:30 p.m. at the lingerie store’s location at 901 Lincoln Road.
Young, who had escaped from the Calumet House Transitional Housing Unit at the New Hampshire Department of Corrections on July 21, 2023, had been allegedly shoplifting at the store before the call to police was made, authorities said.
Body camera video shows Young becoming increasingly agitated. He continued to hold onto the victims and moved into a corner of the store, threatening that someone would die when he started counting.
Responding officers were heard saying, “Your life is not over. I promise to God you will be fine. I just need you to drop the knife,” as they attempted to get Young to drop the knife.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office stated that Miami Beach police Officer Corey Jackson fired a single shot at Young, which led to his death and the safe release of the hostages. The use of deadly force by Jackson was deemed “legally justified.”
Local 10 News obtained the 911 call just moments before police shot Young.
“He said put the phones down because he’s gonna get in a shootout,” the caller stated.
Police said the suspect did not die at the scene, but was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where he succumbed to his gunshot wound. Jackson and two victims were unharmed, they said.