MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are searching for the person or people responsible for a shooting in South Beach that left a man dead and sent another to the hospital, leading to two police pursuits.
Miami Beach Police said an officer in the area heard gunshots along the 200 block of Española Way, at around 2 a.m., Saturday.
“An officer in the area of Washington Avenue and Española Way heard gunshots,” said Miami Beach Police Officer Ernesto Rodriguez.
Investigators said the officer briefly chased after the suspected shooter or shooters before backing off.
“We believe we spotted another vehicle possibly involved. A pursuit again ensued,” said Rodriguez.
A man who was walking with some friends in the area described the chaotic scene.
“I was with a few friends drinking, and I didn’t know if it was gunshots or fireworks at first, so I stepped out and looked around. That’s when I saw the people running towards me,” he said. “I was just kinda shocked what was happening.”
Officials said the two victims were struck by gunfire during the shooting.
Surveillance video captured people running away from the gunfire at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Española Way. One man was seen ducking for cover behind a nearby car.
“It’s crazy. This town is going nuts,” said the witness.
One of the victims died at the scene, while Miami Beach Fire Rescue crews transported the other victim to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where he underwent surgery overnight. He is expected to survive.
Officials said two marked police cruisers crashed further north along 91st Street and Harding Avenue in pursuit of one of three potential vehicle suspects in connection to the shooting.
The officers suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash. Unfortunately, the suspect was able to get away.
7News cameras captured one of the squad cars, as well as as a police chopper searching for possible suspects during the early morning hours.
Back at the scene of the shooting, cellphone video captured a heavy police presence.
Come daylight, detectives removed the victim’s body from the scene and canvassed for clues. They focused their attention on a black Rolls-Royce sedan parked near the crime scene.
Española Way reopened to traffic on Saturday afternoon, but at around 6:30 p.m., 7News cameras captured crime scene investigators return to comb through some of the parked vehicles on the block between Washington and Collins avenues.
If you have any information on this shooting, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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