WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Newly released body camera footage shows the tense moments when a driver involved in a crash in South Miami-Dade grabbed the Taser of a responding Miami-Dade Police officer, prompting law enforcers to open fire.
On March 29, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to the scene of the crash near Mile Marker 114 along U.S. 1, just south of Florida City, at around noon.
According to investigators, a group of good Samaritans pulled the driver out of the car that ended up upside down in the water. Members of the FWC also rendered aid to the motorist.
Someone at the scene explained to police, “He just rear-ended the [expletive] out of us.”
Officials said the situation escalated after two Miami-Dade Police officers responded to the scene to assist.
Bodycam footage shows others involved in the crash speaking with officers about the wreck.
One camera angle shows the driver, later identified as 29-year-old Jahmal Parker, as one of the police officers orders him to sit down.
“Sit down or you’re gonna get lit up,” the officer is heard saying in the video. “You’re gonna sit down one way or another.”
Miami-Dade Police Sgt. Carlos Rosario spoke with reporters about the incident on Thursday.
“They approached the driver of the vehicle and, still being uncooperative, the driver reached for the officer’s electronic control device, also known as a Taser,” he said.
Bodycam footage from the officer standing to the left of Parker shows the suspect grabbing the law enforcer’s Taser.
“[Parker] removed the Taser from the officer’s person and pointed it at the officer,” said Rosario.
“Whoa, whoa!” an officer is heard saying.
Moments later, an officer is seen from his body camera pointing his firearm at Parker.
“Drop it! Drop it now!” the officer is heard saying.
Bodycam footage from another officer shows that law enforcer also pointing a gun at the driver.
“He’s got a Taser. Drop it!” that officer is heard saying before gunfire rings out.
Six gunshots were heard in the bodycam footage.
“Roll over now! Roll over now!” an officer is heard saying to the wounded Parker before paramedics treated him at the scene.
Parker was then airlifted to Jackson South Community Hospital in good condition.
After his recovery, he was taken into custody and to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He faces several charges, including resisting an officer with violence and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on an officer.
At the time, both responding officers seen with their guns drawn — later identified as 34-year-old Richard Bellon and 54-year-old Ronald Neubauer — were placed on administrative leave, which is protocol following a police-involved shooting.
According to the arrest report, Neubauer is a 27-year veteran with the force and Bellon has been with Miami-Dade Police eight years.
It remains unclear which officer opened fire.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident.
Parker is expected in court later this month.
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