DORAL, FL – A violent encounter in Doral City, Miami-Dade County, Florida, left two people dead, including a security guard and the assailant, and seven others injured, one of whom is a police officer. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday at a commercial establishment.
The confrontation initiated when a dispute broke out among patrons at a martini bar in CityPlace Doral around 3:30 a.m. The situation escalated when one individual brandished a firearm and fatally shot a security guard who tried to mediate the situation.
Doral City Police Chief, Edwin Lopez, praised his officers’ swift response and “heroic actions,” which he said curtailed the situation from escalating further. Two Doral police officers were on duty at the establishment and immediately engaged the shooter.
During the gunfire exchange, one officer was hit in the lower extremity. Despite his injury, the officer managed to return fire, killing the shooter. The wounded officer applied a tourniquet to himself and is currently in stable condition.
In addition to the security guard and the officer, six bystanders were hit by the gunfire – one woman and five men. Two of the bystanders are in critical condition at local hospitals.
The incident is under investigation by multiple police agencies. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is looking into the officer-involved shooting, while Miami-Dade Police are investigating the homicide. Doral City police are assisting with both investigations.
Chief Lopez noted that exactly a year ago, Doral City Police conducted a mass casualty, multi-agency active shooter drill at CityPlace Doral. He believes this training played a significant role in preventing further loss of life during this incident.