Miami Beach police investigating shooting by off-duty Miami-Dade deputy, leaving a man in critical condition
An investigation is underway in Miami Beach after police said an off-duty officer shot someone during a robbery early Wednesday morning, according to the president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association.
The Miami Beach Police Department said that officers responded to South Pointe Park, located at 1 Washington Avenue, just after 1 a.m. to investigate a reported shooting.
PBA President Steadman Stahl has learned new details about the case and tells CBS News Miami, "It just goes to show you are never off duty. The officer was with a family friend walking a dog. He gets attacked, and he is in fear for his life, and he is forced to take out his weapon and discharge it."
Authorities have said the officer is with the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, and he was not injured. The man who was shot was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical but stable condition. Neither the officer nor the suspect has been identified.
Miami Beach Police spokesman Officer Chris Bess said it is not known if the man who was shot had a weapon, but he said police are treating the officer as a victim.
Bess said, "Our subject tried to flee the area, but he was apprehended and taken to the hospital. Luckily, no one else was struck by a bullet. This is a very complex case, and we want to make sure we are not rushed and that we get all the facts correct."
Video posted on social media through Only in Dade shows paramedics surrounding a bench at the park, and then, in daylight, police gathering evidence.
New York tourists Jose Rivas and Veronika Beiner say the incident shows how you have to be vigilant at all times.
Rivas said, "You have got to be careful at all times. You have to be aware of your surroundings."
Beiner said, "I have two children, and we want to feel safe. You should definitely be careful."
Stahl said, "Everybody should keep themselves vigilant. Luckily, the officer and his family and everybody is going home, but you never know what can happen."
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, FDLE, told CBS News Miami that the agency is investigating the use of force in this case, which is standard procedure.