Two fatal weekend shootings in Miami Beach prompt curfew during height of spring break
MIAMI -- The city of Miami Beach on Sunday issued a state of emergency and imposed a curfew after two fatal shootings occurred this weekend.
The curfew began Sunday at 11:59 p.m. and went through Monday at 6 a.m. An additional curfew is likely to be put in place Thursday through next Monday, March 27. The curfew mainly affects South Beach, the most popular party location for spring breakers.
The city took the extreme measure following an overnight shooting Sunday and one Friday night that sent panicked crowds fleeing for cover.
In the most recent shooting, a suspect was in custody after a man was killed early Sunday after being shot in Miami Beach during a violent weekend in which a second person was fatally shot late Friday during a separate slaying, authorities said.
Police said the man who was fatally shot in the most recent incident died after being rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital. A second person was hurt but treated at the scene and released, according to police.
The suspect was arrested after being chased and detained in the 1200 block of Washington Avenue, according to a police social media post.
Police identified the suspect as Dontavious Leonard Polk, 24, of Fort Lauderdale, according to the police report.
He was being held Sunday night on a first-degree murder charge for a slaying that appeared to have been a random crime, according to investigators.
Miami Beach police posted that officers heard gunfire around 3:30 a.m. near 11th Street and Ocean Drive.
Shooting Investigation: On Sunday, March 19 at 3:29 a.m. Miami Beach Police officers heard gunshots near 11 Street and Ocean Drive and found one male with gunshot wounds along the 1000 block of Ocean Drive.
— Miami Beach Police (@MiamiBeachPD) March 19, 2023
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When the officers arrived, they found the unidentified man suffering from gunshot wounds in the 1000 block of Ocean Drive.
Police caught the suspect following the foot chase and recovered two weapons, accoding to officers.
According to investigators, the shooting was targeted but police did not disclose a motive for the incident or say if the man knew the person who shot him.
The police report states that the suspect was walking north on Ocean Drive and encountered the victim walking southbound with his arm around a woman.
Polk allegedly shot the man several times and then fired additional rounds while standing over the victim after he collapsed in the street. According to the police report, Polk, wearing a yellow T-shirt and yellow and black sneakers, was captured on a surveillance camera shooting the man.
A social media post had video of the slain man lying in the middle of the street as onlookers ran or took out their phones to record the incident.
.It was the second fatal shooting in the area after a person was shot and killed Friday night in the beach area packed with visitors.
The shooting sent panicked revelers rushing for cover.
It was not immediately clear if police have arrested a suspect in connection with that Friday night incident.Scenes of absolute mayhem on South Beach.
Curfew begins
As the clock ticked down to the midnight curfew Sunday, a crowd surrounded a car on Ocean Drive as people jumped on top of it while the driver tried to navigate through the madness.
"In Florida, I thought we were protected, but I don't think we are," said David Cervantes, who is visiting from Houston
The chaos continues after two fatal shootings Friday and Sunday, both on Ocean Drive.
"It is clear that even an unprecedented police presence could not prevent these incidents from occurring," Mayor Gelber said.
The curfew angered patrons of restaurants and businesses now forced to tell their customers they have to leave by midnight.
"Quite frankly, I'm pretty pissed off," said Mitch Novick, owner of Sherbrooke Hotel. "I have a lot of international guests here, and it would be no surprise to me when they tell me they're going to be leaving early because they can't do anything at night."
Business owners, on and off camera, expressing their frustration with the rambunctious crowds.
"The city keeps providing and atmosphere that allows this carnival like circus to perpetuate," said Novick.
According to city officials, at least 70 guns have been confiscated in Miami Beach over the last three weeks.