NORTHEAST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A man is recovering in the hospital after he opened fire on a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who was conducting a traffic detail in Northeast Miami-Dade, forcing the trooper to return fire, authorities said.
Aventura Police, FHP troopers and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews responded to the scene along Miami Gardens Drive, between Biscayne Boulevard and West Dixie Highway, just after 2 p.m., Wednesday.
“The subject approached the patrol car and began firing into the patrol vehicle,” FHP Maj. Chris Dellapietra said. “At which time, the trooper immediately responded and returned fire, striking the subject in the roadway and incapacitating him and ceasing the threat.”
The adult male subject was transported from the scene to Aventura Hospital as a trauma alert. He remains hospitalized as of Thursday afternoon.
#AventuraPolice Florida Highway Patrol and Miami Dade PD are working an incident at Miami Gardens Dr & Biscayne Blvd. Traffic shut down in all directions. Use alternate routes. @cityofaventura pic.twitter.com/o6tENpnJYG
— Aventura Police (@aventurapolice) February 3, 2021
Cellphone video captured a trooper picking up a weapon from the floor and placing it on the hood of a parked cruiser. The firearm was then placed in the back of a cruiser.
One of the bullets flew into the window of the nearby Greenfield Animal Hospital’s waiting room. No people or animals were hit.
“It was feeling very uneasy, and I’m glad everybody inside the building is safe,” Dr. David Greenfield said.
Dr. Matthew Cooper ran from his veterinary practice at Skylake Animal Hospital after he heard the shots.
“I ran over to see if I can help, checked his pulse,” he said. “He was conscious. Pulse was OK, but while I was helping, I looked at the officer’s window, and it looked like four bullet holes.”
When asked if the subject said anything, Cooper said, “No.”
7SkyForce hovered over the scene where troopers, paramedics and Cooper could be seen attending to an individual on the roadway.
Footage showed a white Nissan sedan parked near the trooper’s cruiser, and several bullet holes could be seen in the driver’s side window of the cruiser.
FHP said the trooper involved in the shooting was not injured.
Miami Gardens Drive has since reopened to traffic.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is in charge of the investigation, which is protocol when there is an officer-involved shooting.
The trooper involved in the shooting is now on non-disciplinary leave, which is FHP policy during an investigation.
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