MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have arrested pregnant woman after she allegedly shot a woman during an argument in Miami Beach.
According to Miami Beach Police, an officer heard a gunshot in the area of 18th Street and Meridian Avenue, just before 9:15 p.m., Wednesday.
A source close to the investigation said the two women, one of whom is pregnant, were in a car having an argument. Moments later, the pregnant woman shoots the woman who was involved in the argument with her, a source confirmed.
Shortly after hearing the shot, police said the officer, who was working a nearby off-duty detail at the Miami Beach Convention Center, found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. The officer then confronted the other woman, the possible shooter, who was on the scene and took her into custody.
Miami Beach Fire Rescue paramedics transported the victim to Jackson Memorial Hospital with injuries not considered to be life-threatening. Cameras captured fire rescue personnel taking her out of the ambulance at the hospital.
According to the police report, the victim has “a gunshot wound to the right thigh which, according to doctors, shattered her femur bone.” Cellphone video from a nearby apartment building captured the shooting’s immediate aftermath, as a woman could be heard wailing from the pain.
Detectives said their preliminary investigation revealed the victim and the alleged shooter know each other, but it is not yet known what caused the altercation. According to the police report, “They drove from Missouri to enjoy a couple of days in Miami Beach.”
Zacoree Hopkins, 21 was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm in public.
She appeared before a Miami-Dade County judge in bond court on Thursday. The visibly pregnant Hopkins said she is due to give birth in two weeks.
“You’re due in two weeks, and you come to Miami Beach to vacation — OK,” Judge Mindy S. Glazer said while shrugging her shoulders.
Glazer ordered Hopkins to stay away from the victim, and she remains jailed at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
This latest shooting comes as Miami Beach prepares for a busy Memorial Day weekend.
City leaders and police are trying to avoid rowdy crowds and disruptive scenes like what was seen during spring break.
“This weekend will likely be challenging,” said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. “We have to assume that even more people will be coming this Memorial Day weekend, especially in the evening and, regrettably, too many will be coming to act out. In order to prepare, we will have an enormous contingent of police throughout the city including hundreds from other departments.”
Special traffic patterns and resident only areas will also be enforced on the beach. The pilot program banning alcohol sales from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. will also remain in effect.
The Air & Sea Show is also expected to bring a large crowd to the area.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.