NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Rescue crews have taken a woman to the hospital after, officials said, she was hit by a stray bullet in a police-involved shooting in Northwest Miami-Dade.
Miami-Dade Police and Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the incident in the area of Northwest 66th Street and 22nd Avenue, just after 9 p.m., Wednesday.
#MDPD PIO is currently responding to a police involved shooting in the area of 66 Street & NW 22 Avenue. Please avoid the area due to the increase police presence. More information to follow. pic.twitter.com/090rOnE62n
— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) December 5, 2019
According to investigators, the victim was an innocent bystander who was driving in the area when the shooting took place.
Police said it all started when officers with the robbery intervention detail were trying to stop a man on a scooter.
During their attempts to stop the man, police said, he opened fire at officers.
“At that moment is when the subject turns and opens fire at the detectives, while he’s still on the scooter,” said MDPD Detective Alvaro Zabaleta. “This could have been more tragic, and we thank God that it wasn’t.”
Surveillance video obtained by 7News showed the man running near Wings on Fire, a restaurant nearby.
A red car is then seen pulling into the drive-thru when the suspected gunman runs to the passenger side appearing to ask for help before tossing something away from him.
Another surveillance video showed an officer firing his weapon, striking the restaurant’s wall.
Police said the bystander was struck while she was sitting inside her car not too far away.
Officers later detained one man.
His involvement to the shooting, if any, is unclear.
“The officers were not hurt,” said Zabaleta. “If this is not the subject, then of course we’re very concerned for this individual in the event [that] he was also struck and is in need of medical attention.”
7News cameras captured a heavy police presence as crime scene investigators searched for clues.
Paramedics transported the victim to Jackson Memorial Hospital as a trauma alert. She is in stable condition.
It remains unclear if she was struck by an officer’s bullet or the subject’s bullet.
“When someone is shooting at you, obviously they have total disregard of a human life. This person is violent and dangerous, so therefore, the officers had to revert to their training, and that’s what they did,” said Zabaleta.
Police have not provided further details about the shooting, as they continue to investigate.
“We’re asking the community that if anybody has any information in regards to what happened here or knows about the whereabouts, if this isn’t our subject, the whereabouts of this subject,” Zabaleta said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation.
If you have any information on this shooting, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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