A 21-year-old man was seriously injured Sunday after being shot multiple times by a Miami Police Department officer in an incident near Bayfront Park, where the Best of the Best music festival was being held.
According to authorities, the incident occurred on Biscayne Boulevard near Northeast Second Street when an officer regulating traffic as part of a larger security deployment was struck by a car. The situation quickly escalated, and the officer responded by using his firearm on the vehicle, wounding the driver.
The Miami Fire-Rescue Department reported that the victim was transported in serious but stable condition to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where he underwent surgery. The officer was also treated for minor injuries at the same hospital.
In a statement to the press, Miami Police Deputy Chief Armando Aguilar explained that the exact details of the altercation are still being investigated. “One of our officers was at a traffic control point when a vehicle made physical contact with him. As a result of that incident, shots were fired,” he said.
The incident occurred while the festival was in progress, which attracted a large crowd. According to Aguilar, more than 50 officers were deployed in the area to ensure event security. A video recorded by an attendee shows those present fleeing the scene upon hearing the gunshots.
“Our officers acted quickly and rendered first aid to the injured driver, who remained inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting,” Aguilar said. He also emphasized that the situation was a reminder of the risks inherent in police work, even at planned and highly monitored events.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is investigating the shooting, while local authorities review footage and testimony related to the incident to clarify what happened.
