Guard Shoots Panhandler At Miami Metromover Station
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Two men were injured in an early morning shooting at a Miami Metromover station.
The shooting happened on the platform just before 6 a.m. at 50 NE 15th Street. The station is next to the Miami-Dade County School Board Building and the Fischer Medical Center.
Police said a security guard asked a panhandler to step off a train. He did, but then got back on. When the guard tried to get him off, there was a struggle. The panhandler choked and bit the guard. That's when the guard drew his gun and shot his attacker.
"What are you going to do, I mean you have to defend yourself, and some of these guys are really flipped out," said a Metromover rider who did not wish to be identified. "I've never seen violence like that, I've seen some crazies but not violent."
The injured man was taken to the Ryder Trauma Center. Police have not released his name.
"I just hate when stuff happens like that," said James Jeffries who rides the Metromover. "I mean you can prevent it, it's gonna happen."
The 50 State security guard was also taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he was treated for injuries to his face.
CBS4's Peter D'Oench reached out to 50 State Security but so far the company has not commented about the incident or its wounded guard.