MIAMI, FL – A man is in critical condition after being shot by a Miami police officer early Monday morning in the Liberty City neighborhood. The incident, which occurred on September 8, 2025, is now under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), a standard protocol for officer-involved shootings.
The Incident Unfolds
According to Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales, the encounter began around 6:45 a.m. when dispatch received a call concerning an armed individual firing shots in the air and the surrounding area. Responding officers were directed to the vicinity of Northwest 15th Avenue and 64th Street. The police department also reported receiving a 911 call detailing a man, described as wearing all black, actively discharging a firearm in the neighborhood. Upon arriving at the scene, officers encountered the man, who remained armed with a handgun.
In a subsequent press conference, Chief Morales stated that an officer discharged their service weapon, striking the suspect multiple times. First responders from Miami Fire-Rescue were immediately called to the scene and transported the injured man to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he is currently listed in extremely critical condition. The identity of the suspect, believed to be in his early 30s, has not yet been released by authorities.
Ongoing Investigation and Evidence Review
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken the lead in investigating the shooting. Officials confirmed that a firearm was recovered at the scene. Chief Morales indicated that he is reviewing information regarding whether officers issued verbal commands to the suspect before the shooting occurred. Both surveillance video footage from the area and body-worn camera footage from the involved officers are being meticulously reviewed as part of the comprehensive investigation.
Miami police are urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers Miami at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
Departmental Protocols and Community Context
Officer-involved shootings in Miami trigger a well-defined protocol, ensuring an impartial investigation by an external agency like the FDLE. This ensures transparency and thoroughness in assessing the circumstances that led to the use of deadly force. The Miami-Dade Police Department has policies in place regarding the use of force, which are subject to ongoing review and departmental training. Recent news reports have highlighted discussions and research initiatives into the use of force by Miami-Dade Police, emphasizing communication and proportionality in officer-involved incidents.
Liberty City, the location of Monday’s shooting, has unfortunately been the scene of other police-involved incidents in recent years, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and the community in maintaining public safety. The specific details of this latest event, including the exact sequence of actions and any commands given, will be critical in the FDLE’s findings.
Conclusion
As the FDLE continues its investigation into the September 8th shooting, the community awaits further details that will shed light on the events that transpired in Liberty City. The critically injured suspect remains hospitalized, while authorities work to piece together the incident through collected evidence and witness statements. This development is among the prominent Miami news stories trending today, reflecting the critical nature of such events in the city.
