WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have arrested the man who, they said, opened fire at a Florida City Police officer during an attempted traffic stop.
Detectives said they took Virgilio Salgado into custody without incident on Saturday night.
On Sunday afternoon, the 28-year-old stood before a Miami-Dade Circuit judge.
According to investigators, the 28-year-old suspect was driving the same car that was used during the early Saturday morning incident.
Police said Salgado discharged a firearm after the officer tried to pull him over near Northwest Seventh Avenue and Second Street.
“I heard screaming, fighting and then, like 10 minutes later, I heard gunshots,” said a woman who lives in the area.
Investigators said Salgado sped away. Fortunately, the officer was not hurt.
Shortly after the shooting, detectives showed up and began collecting evidence and shell casings.
The gunfire left area residents shaken up and concerned for their safety.
“If he’s bold enough to do that, he’d be bold enough to do it to somebody else, a random person, not even a cop,” said the woman who lives in the area.
Detectives said they were able to identify Salgado through the officer’s body camera footage, as well as technology that the city has implemented in recent years.
The suspect, who has a chest tattoo that reads “Cop Killer,” faces a list of charges, including aggravated assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and driving with a suspended license.
As of Sunday night, he has posted his bond but remains locked up at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on $21,000 bond. Once he is released, he will remain on house arrest.
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