NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - An arrest has been made involving a Miami-Dade police detective that was shot in Miami Gardens.
On Tuesday morning, Gabrial Gongora, 20, was booked on a charge of first-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.
“Sir, you were arrested for one count of attempted first degree murder on a law enforcement officer, very serious charge,” said Judge Mindy S. Glazer.
An arrest report stated that Miami-Dade Robbery Intervention Detail unit detective Ricaurte Lugo, 34, was looking for a black Volkswagen believed to have been stolen in a carjacking. He spotted the car leaving the Haven Lake Estates Trailer Park in Miramar.
According to the police report, Lugo called for backup.
Lugo later spotted the vehicle driving recklessly near Northwest 186th Street and 67th Avenue in Miami Gardens.
While following the vehicle, Gongora opened fire and struck Lugo in the face.
“He was doing a surveillance when the subject drove around and started shooting at him from the car,” said Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez. “While he was observing the vehicle, the subject cowardly shot at my officer. Never exited the car, my officer didn’t even get a chance to get a round out.”
As detective Lugo was taken by helicopter to Jackson Memorial Hospital, dozens of officers combed through the Heaven Lake Estates Trailer Park.
Gongora was eventually found and arrested.
“It’s serious charges. You probably should only speak to your lawyer about this case, and you’ll have an arraignment in 21 days,” said Glazer.
The arrest report said police found spent casings inside the stolen car and that Gongora later admitted what he did.
“Be thankful for the men and women that serve this community because that coward is the same kind that will kill a child, that will kill you,” said Ramirez.
Detective Lugo is expected to be OK and was discharged from the hospital on Monday night.
He was able to ID Gongora as the shooter in a line up.
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