A Miami-Dade Police officer was likely saved by his body armor when he was grazed by a bullet in a shooting in Miami Gardens Monday morning, officials said.
The incident happened at approximately 10 a.m. in the area of Northwest 154th Street and Northwest 20th Avenue.
Footage showed a massive police presence in the area. Officers in tactical gear appeared to be searching nearby neighborhoods for a suspect or suspects.
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Miami-Dade Police officials confirmed one of their officers was grazed and was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, but was expected to be okay.
Footage from the hospital showed the injured officer alert and moving his arm on a stretcher with what appeared to be a bandage around his head.
"Thank God he is doing great, he is in stable condition and he will be able to go home and celebrate Thanksgiving with his family," Miami-Dade Police Director Stephanie Daniels said at a news conference from the hospital Monday afternoon.
Daniels said the officer was with others who were part of the Northwest District crime suppression unit and who were doing surveillance in the area. A suspect confronted them, produced a firearm and then fired, striking one of the officers in the face, Miami-Dade Police officials said.
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Daniels said the officer suffered an injury to his face but may have been spared a more serious injury thanks to his vest.
"He was wearing his vest and we do believe that the vest has caused him to be able to go home and be with his family," she said. "Nonetheless, subjects fired upon our officers and we could have been dealing with something definitely more tragic today."
Daniels said five people had been detained but the scene was still active.
“I will not be tolerating subjects firing upon officers. I’m going to provide whatever resources there are to ensure our officers are protected," Daniels said.
Police posted that they had multiple streets closed off in the area amid their search.
"This was the biggest crime scene I’ve ever seen in my life and I’ve seen some crime scenes, this is enormous," said Pastor Kerby Telcy.
Officials didn't release the officer's identity but said he's 29 and has been with the department for seven years.
"This law enforcement officer is a real hero, he comes from a law enforcement family and he is in good spirits and standing strong, and we're very grateful to him and all the others that came to his side to assist him in this terrible incident," Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at the news conference.
