A January 17 911 call about possible squatters in a southwest Miami home led to a shootout with a suspect that left two responding officers injured and the suspect dead, CBS News reported.
According to Miami-Dade police, officers were called to a residence on SW 162nd Avenue at about 10:40 p.m. after receiving a call from a homeowner who reported that squatters were living in the property.
When responding officers approached the front door, a man armed with a shotgun confronted them and opened fire. A 35-year-old officer was shot in the arm while a 57-year-old officer, a 15-year veteran of the Miami-Dade police, was hit in the face and arm.
The officers returned fire, hitting the suspect. Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue later pronounced him dead at the scene.
The two officers, whose names were withheld, were transported by fellow officers to Ryder Trauma Center Jackson South. A female officer, 40, was also taken to the trauma center for medical evaluation.
According to Detective Angel Rodriguez, both the female officer and the younger officer had been discharged on January 18. The 15-year veteran remained in the hospital in stable condition.
Local News 10 reported on January 19 that the suspect killed in the incident had been identified as Christopher Lynn Bailey, 52.
Since the incident was an officer-involved shooting, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating.
Miami-Dade Police Director Stephanie Daniels said in a statement that violence against members of the force would not be tolerated. She said she spoke with the officers injured in the shooting and they were “in good spirits.”
Both officers were wearing bullet-proof vests.
Lawmakers in the Florida state House have introduced a bill that would make it illegal to occupy a home without a notarized lease.
