MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - An off-duty police officer visiting Miami Beach from Minnesota had to be transported to the hospital after he was shot inside of a restaurant, police said.
Miami Beach Police received a 911 call of a shooting along the 1300 block of Washington Avenue, where shots were reportedly fired, at around 9:20 p.m., Thursday.
Officials said there was an argument inside Harold’s Shrimp and Chicken before someone pulled out a gun and opened fire.
Miami Beach Police and Miami Beach Fire Rescue units arrived at the restaurant to find the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
Paramedics transported him to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.
Cellphone video showed Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Clements walking around the crime scene along with SWAT team members.
Sources told 7News that the victim is a police officer from Minnesota who was off duty and visiting the city.
7News video footage showed a bullet hole in the restaurant’s window near the open sign.
Roshan Samarsing, a nearby shop owner, described how he felt about the incident.
“Just scared, because in Miami a lot of violence is going on,” said Samarsing. “I heard about two gunshots while I was working at the video store next to them.”
Elizabeth Aughton, a tourist from Australia, said she was in a nearby tattoo shop when a police officer suddenly came in.
“Me and my friends were at a tattoo shop, and we were getting a tattoo, and suddenly the cop came in, and he shut the door, and he shut the blinds on us, and there was an active shooter outside. It was crazy,” she said.
Aughton said she heard multiple gunshots.
“We heard the gunshots; it was really loud. It was like a ‘thud, thud,’ constant bang. It was pretty intense,” she said.
Aughton remembered being told by police to stay away from the door.
“They pulled the curtains closed, and me and my friends had to sit behind the curtains,” she said.
Witnesses captured video where authorities were seen searching alleyways for the shooter.
People were shocked as they did not know what was going on.
“He said somebody got shot in the head there,” said a bystander.
“I’m from Australia, so this doesn’t happen,” said Aughton. “I hope they are all right.”
The area between 12th Street to Española Way from Collins Avenue to Drexel Avenue was closed off as officers investigated the scene. That area has since been cleared.
The victim was alert and spoke to paramedics when he was transported.
Officers were unable to catch the gunman, but surveillance video inside the restaurant may have caught a good shot of his face.
7News cameras captured a police officer showing the patient his phone as he was being taken out of the ambulance outside the hospital. The wounded officer appeared to respond, “That’s him.”
The officer has since been released from the hospital. He has asked police not to release his name.
Harold’s Shrimp and Chicken remained closed on Friday.
The gunman remains at large, but detectives said they have some solid leads in their search.
If you have any information on this shooting or the subject’s whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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