Shooting Leaves One Dead, Miami-Dade Detective Injured
MIAMI (CBS4) - A shooting that erupted in a Southwest Miami-Dade neighborhood Tuesday night left one person dead and two others shot, one of them a veteran Miami-Dade Police detective
The shooting happened at a home near Coral Way and Southwest 60th Avenue just before 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Miami-Dade Police Detective James Loftus told CBS4's Jim DeFede officers went to the home on a drug operation. Police received a tip that there was a grow house being operated at the residence. When detectives went to the house to ask the occupants for consent to search the house, a man emerged from a car that was parked on the street and began firing at the officers.
Officers returned fire on the driver and killed him. The injured officer was transported by air rescue to Jackson Memorial Hospital with three gunshot wounds to his stomach. He was rushed into surgery and is now in stable condition.
"He was conscious he was talking to family members he spoke to his wife on the phone and we had a chance to talk to him briefly," said Miami-Dade Police Detective Roy Rutland. " It appears he'll be OK, we're certainly praying that he will be."
Sources say the other person that was injured is a possible suspect and is believed to be in police custody. Police are not looking for any more suspects.
CBS4 News has learned the identity of the detective, but has decided not to release it as the investigation unfolds. He is a decorated detective with more than a dozen years on the force.
Sources say the operation was part of a drug task force that included state and federal agents, including the FBI.
Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Joe Martinez arrived at the hospital to offer his support to the officers.
"Something like this happens, you come together and you rally around each other," said Martinez. "The doctors came and just spoke to his family right now. They mentioned the extent of the injuries but the one thing they did say is he will be fine. Everything will be fine. All the holes, they're being sutured up and they'll be great."
Residents in the area are stunned.
"This is a very quiet neighborhood. So you wouldn't expect that to happen over here," said Mike Gonzalez. "I know it could happen but I never thought it would be here, you always see it on TV but never in your own neighborhood."
A woman, who only wanted to be identified as Gloria, saw all the commotion while out walking.
"Well it's kinda scary, especially kinda close to where you live," said Gloria. "It's very scary."
