WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A second officer is said to be involved in the death of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at a shooting range.
Thursday evening, Miami-Dade Police confirmed a second officer was involved in the shooting that killed U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer Jorge Arias.
The Miami Herald reported the officer had been role-playing in a scenario, in which one officer was attempting to subdue a bad guy.
They report that the agent who shot Arias accidentally replaced his training pistol with his handgun, which carried live ammunition.
How or when it happened remains unclear at this time.
Yellow police tape hangs outside the Trails Glades Shooting Range, where it happened, a day before.
Arias’ widow spoke to 7News Thursday, a day after the tragic event.
“He didn’t deserve to go so soon but such is life,” said Ana Mary Arias.
Arias was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where sadly he would not make it.
His fellow brothers in blue followed his body in a procession to the medical examiner’s office, Wednesday night.
“I did not anticipate that, and he is getting a hero’s ceremony, and that’s exactly what he deserved probably more,” said the widow.
Arias was assigned to Miami International Airport but was also a firearms instructor at the Trail Glades Shooting Range.
As his family and law enforcement community mourns, they remember the best things about him.
“Father, spouse, uncle, great uncle, great family, just all around great guy,” said Michael Silva, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.
“He was a great father to my children, and he was my soulmate, and I have lost my person,” said his widow.
Miami-Dade Police and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are still investigating this case.
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