MDPD officer wounded in Miami Gardens shooting; vest may have saved his life, director says

‘He will be going home to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family,’ she says

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A Miami-Dade police officer was wounded in a shooting in Miami Gardens Monday morning, according to an agency spokesperson.

It happened in the area of Northwest 154th Street and 20th Avenue, near the city’s border with Opa-locka.

A Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesperson said that medics took a “trauma alert patient” to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.

Authorities provide update from JMH:

A Local 10 News crew at JMH said the officer appeared to be conscious and talking to medics upon arrival.

Video from Sky 10 showed what appeared to be a gun in a crosswalk at Northwest 154th Street and 19th Avenue, next to a number of evidence markers.

An officer stands next a gun after a Miami-Dade police officer was shot in Miami Gardens Monday morning.

Law enforcement sources tell Local 10 News that the officer, a member of the department’s Crime Suppression Team, was looking for a suspect in connection with another shooting over the weekend.

As they were taking out a home, a car pulled up and opened fire, sources said. The officer ultimately suffered a graze wound to the face.

6 p.m. report - Cops credit bulletproof vest for saving colleague:

The 29-year-old officer has been on the force for seven years and was in good condition, Miami-Dade police Director Stephanie Daniels said during a news conference Monday afternoon.

Daniels said the officer was likely saved by his bulletproof vest.

“He will be going home to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family,” Daniels said.

Police established a wide perimeter in the area and officers from numerous agencies were at the scene.

Officers detained five people following the shooting, Daniels said.

This is a developing story. Stay with Local 10 News and Local10.com for updates.

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Chris Gothner

Chris Gothner

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.

Gio Insignares

Gio Insignares

Gio Insignares joined the Local 10 News team in May 2021 as an anchor and reporter. He’ll be co-anchoring the new WSFL Morning Newscast, Monday-Friday from 7-9 a.m., and also contribute to other WPLG newscasts.

Janine Stanwood

Janine Stanwood

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Glenna Milberg

Glenna Milberg

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."

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Andrew Perez

Andrew Perez is a South Florida native who joined the Local 10 News team in May 2014.