Security Guard Critical After Dade Metro Rail Shooting
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A security guard, shot at a Northwest Miami-Dade metro rail station was last listed in critical condition, according to authorities.
Miami-Dade Police said the guard, identified as 49-year old Keith Cox, is at Jackson Memorial hospital where his brother is at his side.
Metrorail passengers Reteva Woods and her husband Trija Woods are upset about the shooting.
"I think it's a travesty, a real travesty," Reteva Woods told CBS4's Peter D'Oench. "These guys come here and work hard and they should be able to protect and serve us while doing their jobs. If you know anything about what happened, please come forward and tell someone."
Trija Woods said, "I don't like that. That's not cool. They could be doing something else with their time other than hurting people. He was a good man and a good officer. The other day when my wife fell out of her wheelchair, he helped her with her situation."
"I think this was really bad," said another Metrorail passenger, George Daily. "What is bad is that he was just trying to do his job."
Cox has been working with 50 State Security for four years. He is also a military veteran who served eight years in the Air Force and was even injured in Desert Storm.
"Very, very tragic situation.We are very sorry to Officer Cox and all of his family, something you never never expect to have happen. Officer Cox was fine young man, did a great job for us ," John Williams, President of 50 State Security. "These guys are special guys. They're in a very, very difficult situation and they perform incredibly well. We're very proud to have them out there."
Williams told D'Oench, "They have extensive training. They serve us well and everyone well. This is one of those things that you just can't predict and it is devastating when it happens."
"If anyone knows anything," he said, "they should please come forward and call Miami-Dade Police.I am sure they are going to find out who did this but the damage has been."
Williams said Cox was a father of two daughters and a son and had on three separate occasions received a "Partners in Pride" award for his work including the capture of a dangerous felon.
Cox was shot at the Dr. Martin Luther King Metrorail Station located at 6205 NW 27th Avenue on Tuesday evening.
A witness found the injured security guard at the station around 9:30 p.m. and reported seeing a male running away from the scene and entering a dark-colored vehicle.
Rescue crews later rushed him to the hospital.
"I think they are idiots, the two men who shot him," said Reteva Woods. "Whoever shot him there is a special place in hell for them."
Police are also looking at surveillance tape from the station's cameras. They do not have a motive at this point.
Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at (305) 471- TIPS. If the tip leads to the arrest of the subject(s), the tipster may be eligible for a reward up to $3,000.00. All calls are kept anonymous.
