MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are investigating a stabbing that took place in South Beach, Monday afternoon, following a weekend of violent crimes in the area.
According to police, a fight occurred around 3:30 p.m. between Sixth Street and Ocean Drive, Detectives said one person tried to stab another with what investigators believe to be a bottle.
One person has been detained while the other is still at large, according to investigators.
The incident is just the latest in a string of violent crimes occurring in South Beach during Urban Beach Weekend.
Sunday night, an argument over a parking spot on Ocean Drive led to a police-involved shooting, two deaths and three arrests.
At a news conference, Monday morning, police provided more details on the violent series of events. “We do not expect something like this to happen,” said Miami Beach Police Chief Daniel Oates. “I want to point out we’ve had quite a few years without any incidents like this on Memorial Day weekend.”
Investigators said an argument broke out between two people and four other suspects, in the area of Second Street and Ocean Drive.
Police said the four suspects, who are from New York, shot at those two victims and fled the scene. “Two persons were hit on the 200 block of Ocean Drive,” said Oates. “One of them is now deceased.”
Witnesses told police the four subjects fled in a white BMW. Officers eventually tracked down the vehicle, and it was at this time that the driver of the vehicle tried to flee by driving against traffic down Fifth Street.
“At that point, there was some sort of crash that occurred involving two police department vehicles,” said Oates.
The BMW came to a stop near Sixth Street and Alton Road. At that moment, police said, officers fired their weapons and shot one of the subjects.
The subject was taken to Ryder Trauma Center, where they later died, Monday morning.
Two of the other subjects were also arrested after shots were fired and remain behind bars. The fourth suspect ran from the scene, but was eventually arrested, as well.
Jeffery Alexander, from New York, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder in connection to Sunday night’s shooting.
This was the second shooting to rock South Beach during Memorial Day weekend. Several young men were detained after, investigators said, a man fired his weapon into an occupied taxi cab near Sixth Street and Collins Avenue, Saturday evening.
The taxi driver, Lesly Doreilus, showed 7News the bullet holes in the minivan. “That’s two bullets, and they put two inside and hit the seat,” he said.
On Sunday, 25-year-old Dontavious Johnson was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, among other charges, in connection with Saturday’s shooting.
Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Grieco said this is due to Urban Beach Weekend, which is not an event sanctioned by the city. “Urban Beach Weekend is a thing of the past,” said Grieco.
Grieco added that he would like to see Miami Beach bars, clubs and restaurants close as early as 10 p.m., which he believes will bring an end to Urban Beach Weekend. “Forget 2 a.m., how about midnight? How about 10 p.m.? Whatever it takes to let people know that Memorial Day Weekend and maybe the weekend before and the weekend after, that this is not the place to come and cause havoc.”
Some business owners are not in favor of the suggestion.
“His statement was irresponsible and incendiary,” said business owner Mitch Novik. “The bigger problem is Ocean Drive, which encourages lawlessness.”
Miami Beach Police said two investigations have begun, one being a homicide investigation during the parking spot argument. Miami Beach Police also said that Miami-Dade Police will take over the investigation into the suspect that died as a result of the police-involved shooting.
Monday night, city officials announced Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine and Oates will hold an emergency news conference, Tuesday, at 10 a.m. They are planning to discuss the Memorial Day weekend incidents and announce new measures to “bring stability to the Ocean Drive corridor.”
If you have any information on Monday’s stabbing in South Beach, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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