Florida law enforcement officials open investigation into police-involved shooting in Little Havana
MIAMI - Miami Police shot and killed Ramon De Jesus Blanco Tuesday afternoon during an encounter in which, they say, he was shooting in the air and towards buildings.
They say the incident happened at 12:48 p.m. at S.W. 5th Avenue and 3rd Street in Little Havana and they responded after reports of the unidentified man firing the weapon.
Police Chief Manny Morales went to the scene and said, "We started receiving several 911 calls depicting a male who was armed shooting not only in the air but towards a building. We had units in the area who were getting there 4 or 5 minutes afterwards."
Morales said, "There was some sort of encounter and shots were fired by both, several officers. The offender was struck and pronounced dead on the scene."
Morales said his comments were based on preliminary information and that Blanco lived in the area.
Neighbor Rosa Veres said, "I am very very nervous. This has never ever happened here before. I heard 6 shots and it sounded like fireworks."
Another neighbor, Nancy Montero, said "I am very very shocked at this time. This is something that never happened in this neighborhood. This is a very quiet neighborhood."
Montero said, "I was in my apartment when all of a sudden I heard a lot of commotion and I went downstairs and all of my neighbors were in shock. They said there was a shooting and a guy is dead."
Montero said, "Everything is now under control and at peace and that makes me feel good because this kind of thing has never happened in this area that is a very quiet and safe neighborhood and as I said I am in shock."
It is not clear what prompted this incident.
Police said two officers fired their weapons.
FDLE, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, is investigating the shooting which is standard procedure.
