2 men arrested in shooting of undercover Miami-Dade police officer in Miami Gardens
MIAMI - Two men have been arrested in connection with the shooting Monday in Miami Gardens of an undercover Miami-Dade police officer, authorities said Tuesday.
Travis A Fernandez Jr., of Miramar, and Drequan Humes, both 19, have been charged with attempted second-degree murder on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon; according to a written statement by police. Humes is also facing a gun possession charge.
Both appeared in afternoon bond court on Tuesday, however, they will need to re-appear because their families hired private attorneys.
Steadman Stahl, the President of the South Florida PBA, told CBS News Miami's Peter D'Oench, "We are here 3 days before Thanksgiving and the next thing you know the officers find themselves facing gunfire in the middle of the street. This is something you see out of a Hollywood movie. These things should not be happening on the streets. People should value life."
"The message is that there is still at least one more person out there and he should turn himself in. We are coming. And to the bad guys out there when you start pointing your guns at police our officers will come back at you."
Police originally detained five people before they announced the arrests of Fernandez and Humes. Investigators said, however, that additional arrests are possible as the probe into the shooting continues.
CBS News Miami also obtained doorbell camera video from the scene in which you heard sequences of shots being fired as well as several people jumping over a fence and others walking with their hands in the air.
The officer, who had been with the department for seven years, suffered a minor injury during the incident. He was treated and later released from Ryder Trauma Center, police said. Stahl said the undercover officer is married and has a child and received several stitches to his face at the hospital.
Police originally detained five people before they announced the arrests of Fernandez and Humes. Investigators said, however, that additional arrests are possible as the probe into the shooting continues.
The officer, who had been with the department for seven years, suffered a minor injury during the incident. He was treated and later released from Ryder Trauma Center, police said.
The shooting occurred around 10:30 a.m. in Miami Gardens in the area of NW 18th Avenue and NW 154th Street.
Miami-Dade police said the officer, who was not identified, was working a detail in Miami Gardens when the shooting took place. He is from the Northwest District and was with a crime suppression team doing surveillance.
CBS News Miami's news partner The Miami Herald, reported that the team was watching a house that might have been connected to a weekend shooting and when officers followed a car that left the home, someone inside the vehicle opened fire.
Police said a bullet ricocheted off the officer's bullet proof vest and struck him in the face.
"If there are subjects out there who believe they can open fire on law enforcement officers, we know that they will not have an issue firing on citizens. I want the community to know that we will not tolerate firing on officers. I am going to provide whatever resources there to make sure that we protect them as well as the citizens of Miami-Dade County," said police Director Stephanie V. Daniels on Monday at a press conference.
Daniels said police detained five people but as of Tuesday only two were arrested and charged.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who was also at the press conference, said this, "Thank God he is well and returning home but our officers are out there in the line of fire on our behalf each and every day so we stand with them and we pray for them and just want people to realize what they are doing on our behalf."
Daniels did not identify the injured officer but did say he is 29 years old and has been in the department for seven years.
"This law enforcement officer is a real hero here and he comes from a law enforcement family... and he is in good spirits and staying strong and we are very grateful to him," added Cava.
After the shooting, a perimeter was set up that encompassed several blocks as police with guns drawn searched for the shooter.
Officers from Miami Gardens, Miami-Dade, and Opa-locka took part in the search for the suspects.
"This was the biggest crime scene I have ever seen in my life…it was enormous," said pastor Kerby Telcy, who saw the police activity.
Even though there is no school this week, Rainbow Park Elementary was placed on lockdown to protect any teachers or staff who may have been inside.
