Miami-Dade Police Officer Shot at Walmart, Survives

Stock photo of police tape. (Carl Ballou/Shutterstock)

A Miami-Dade police officer was shot and injured at a Walmart parking lot, and the suspect was killed, according to local officials.

Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez said the officer was taken to the hospital after the incident, which took place around the area of 32nd Avenue and Northwest 79th Street, NBC Miami reported.

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“To be quite honest and quite frank, what occurred today is that the officer that is laying in that bed behind us today was born again because at close range he was able to survive multiple gunshot wounds,” Perez told NBC. “Right now he’s in great spirits despite being shot multiple times.”

The suspect was killed at the scene after a gun battle.

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The unnamed officer, who had been on the police force for seven years, was off-duty and working as a security guard at the Walmart. The shooting ensued after he responded to a shoplifting incident.

The officer’s injuries are not life-threatening, Perez told CBS Miami. A Miami Police commander told the station that the officer walked into the trauma center under his own power but had a limp.

“He is stable, thank God, and now we are going to let the investigation take its course. Our concern right now is the condition of the officer and, for now, our prayers are answered,” Det. Alvaro Zabaleta with Miami-Dade Police told CBS.

“Our officer is going to be okay. Right now, he’s in good spirits despite being shot multiple times,” Perez added. “God was with him today. I can’t emphasize that enough.”

The Walmart at 32nd Avenue and Northwest 79th Street in Miami (Google Street View - Screenshot)

Perez noted that he’s married and has two children.

No one else was injured in the shooting.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will now investigate the shooting.

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