A fatal shooting involving a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy is under investigation, with newly released surveillance video offering perspective on the moments leading up to the tragic incident. The shooting claimed the life of 24-year-old Kristofer Lazaro Laboy and occurred last week in the Sunset Palm Villas Association complex. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has launched a probe into the circumstances.
The Incident Unfolds
Authorities report that the confrontation began on Tuesday afternoon, June 17, 2025, when deputies from the MDSO Robbery Intervention Detail attempted to stop a yellow Chevrolet Corvette near the intersection of Northwest 62nd Street and Northwest 22nd Avenue. The initial reason for the attempted traffic stop was the vehicle’s reportedly illegal window tints. According to official accounts, the driver, identified as Mr. Laboy, did not stop and a pursuit ensued. He was reportedly tracked by deputies to the Sunset Palm Villas Association complex, located outside the official limits of the City of Miami, specifically near Northwest 85th Street Road and Fourth Court.
Surveillance Footage Emerges
Newly obtained surveillance video was released today, providing a visual record of the environment and activities in the critical moments immediately preceding the fatal confrontation at the complex. While the video reportedly captures the lead-up, the official sequence states that upon arriving at the complex, Mr. Laboy exited the yellow Corvette. Authorities further state that he was armed at that time. It was at this juncture that Deputy Kelvin Cox of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office discharged his firearm, fatally wounding Mr. Laboy. A firearm was reportedly recovered on the ground next to Mr. Laboy following the shooting.
The Deputy Involved
Deputy Kelvin Cox has been identified as the law enforcement officer who fired the fatal shots. Official records indicate that Deputy Cox is a veteran member of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, having served for either 20 or 23 years with the department. The MDSO also confirmed that Deputy Cox has been involved in previous shooting incidents during his tenure. According to their records, he was involved in two prior fatal shootings, both of which were officially ruled as justifiable uses of force. As is standard procedure in deputy-involved shootings, Deputy Cox has likely been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Contested Narrative
The official account provided by law enforcement has been met with challenge by the family of Kristofer Lazaro Laboy. Relatives of the 24-year-old have publicly disputed the police’s version of events surrounding the fatal encounter. Specifically, they have stated that Mr. Laboy was unaware that the individuals attempting to stop him were law enforcement officers. This conflicting perspective underscores the need for a thorough and impartial investigation into the chain of events that led to the shooting at the Sunset Palm Villas Association complex.
Investigation Underway
Responsibility for investigating the deputy-involved shooting has been assigned to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE acts as an independent state agency typically called upon to investigate incidents where law enforcement officers use deadly force. The case has been officially logged by the FDLE under the case number PD250617178408. The investigation will involve reviewing all available evidence, including the newly released surveillance video, witness statements, forensic evidence, and the reports from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Robbery Intervention Detail deputies involved. The FDLE’s findings will ultimately be presented to the State Attorney’s Office for review, which will determine if the shooting was legally justified. This ongoing investigation is crucial for establishing a complete and objective understanding of the events that transpired on June 17, 2025.
