Video Of Wild Police Involved Shootout At Grow House Released In Court
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Video evidence of a wild police involved shootout on the front lawn of a marijuana grow house in Westchester was played in court Thursday at the bail hearing for one of the suspects.
Prosecutors showed the video of Miami-Dade Det. John Saavedra and homeowner Gerard Delgado both getting shot outside the home in July 2012.
Saavedra, a former Miami-Dade PBA Officer of the Year, told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that it shows how dangerous this job can be. He told D'Oench he has a bullet inside him that may be with him for the rest of his life.
"I'm doing better," he said. "But I am still in pain."
Saavedra was shot three times in the stomach under his bullet-proof vest after Delgado opened fire on detectives who showed up to the home on July 31st 2012 and asked for consent to search a grow house that police later discovered had 80 pounds of marijuana worth $90,000 inside it.
Saavedra says two bullets entered his stomach and another struck him in his left leg.
The video is from a surveillance system outside the home near Coral Way and SW 60th Court.
The video shows 59-year-old Luis Estevanell going in and out of the home which was owned by 56-year-old Gerard Delgado.
WEB VIDEO EXTRA BELOW: WARNING GRAPHIC VIDEO AND AUDIO: POLICE SHOOTOUT SURVEILLANCE VIDEO
Delgado was sitting in the driveway inside a BMW with dark-tinted windows when detectives showed up at the home.
The video shows police and an FBI agent talking to Estevanell when suddenly Delgado jumps out of the BMW and starts shooting at the officers.
The wild shootout ends with Delgado, hiding behind a tree in the middle of the driveway, shot in the head by a police shot.
The bondl hearing was for Estevanell. He was charged with possession of cocaine, trafficking in marijuana and second-degree felony murder.
In Florida, anyone who commits a felony in which a death occurs can be held responsible for murder.
This striking video could be played again at the hearing for Estavenell. Other detectives are expected to
testify in the days to come including Saavedra.
Saavedra told D'Oench he was leaving for Washington, D.C. on Friday morning where he will receive a special award from the National Association of Police Organizations as a result of the shooting.
He told D'Oench that he has been nominated again as Miami-Dade PBA Officer of the year. He was named
PBA Officer of the year in 2005.
Saavedra said he hoped to return to work within three weeks and continue his passion: undercover work.
