Latest news with #MiamiPolice
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
‘Warm smile, kind heart': Family, friends mourn woman killed in Wynwood shooting
Evelyn Valdes rang in her 28th birthday in classic Miami fashion. Though the occasion took place days earlier, she took to Wynwood's club-lined streets Saturday to celebrate with friends under the blacklights of hotspots like 1-800-Lucky and Mayami Wynwood. Hours later, as last-call patrons trickled out onto the street, she was caught in a deadly crossfire between police officers and an armed man, cutting her life short. At around 3 a.m., cops in the area 'confronted' a man with a gun along Northwest First Court and 23rd Street before 'shots were fired,' Miami Police spokesperson Officer Mike Vega told the Miami Herald in an email. The gunfire hit both Valdes and the armed man, who were transported to Jackson Memorial's Ryder Trauma Center and pronounced dead, he confirmed. Whether Valdes was killed by police gunfire or the armed man is still unclear as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the lead agency for police-involved shootings, continues to investigate. 'Evelyn lived every moment to the fullest, capturing life's beauty with unyielding passion,' reads a statement released by the attorney of Kristy Garcia, Valdes' mother, on Tuesday. 'Her absence leaves a void that words cannot describe.' The 28-year-old was identified by Garcia before authorities through a GoFundMe page that she organized. In a note posted with the fundraiser for her funeral, the mom described her as 'not the intended target, just an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire' and said she was remembered for her 'warm smile, kind heart, and the way she could bring light into any room.' According to the Valdes family, Evelyn loved the ocean, had a sharp sense of humor and had recently come to the Christian faith. To her family — who knew her as 'Titi Evelyn' or 'Nana' — she spearheaded many academic firsts. Valdes grew up a Homestead local in the halls of the Medical Academy for Science and Technology, becoming the first high school graduate in her household in 2015. Her friend Michelle Trujillo, who attended MAST with the 28-year-old, shared on the social media platform that their after school routine consisted of Valdes 'walking past my house and stopping by to say hi on her way home.' She went on to complete a bachelor's and master's degree in social work at Barry University, graduating in 2023 after 'trials and tribulations, sleepless nights, lots of studying, and a couple of humbling hick-ups,' as one of her Facebook posts reads. Her account shows her to be an avid concertgoer who enjoyed traveling to places like South Carolina, Louisiana and the Bahamas. After finishing her studies, Valdes dedicated her talents to advocating for child victims of abuse and neglect at a local nonprofit, her family shared. To honor her, they say, answers are needed. 'We demand answers about the night that stole her from us and we also demand accountability from those involved,' reads the Valdes' statement. 'With limited information available, we plead for the community—near and far—to come forward with any details, including witness accounts, photos, videos, or social media posts, that could clarify the events leading to this tragedy.' Loved ones of the second victim, the armed man, are making similar requests. Though authorities haven't confirmed, family members are identifying him as 30-year-old Norman Lindo Jr. Saddened friends of his, like Tazzy Redd, are calling Saturday's shooting into question. Saying Lindo was the little brother of her kids' godmother, she took to Facebook asking community members to send in any video footage of the incident, saying 'We just really need to know what happened because we don't know.' Answers from authorities could come once the investigation is complete since 'FDLE as a routine does not comment or provide additional information,' on active investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement told the Miami Herald in an email. 'Our family is overwhelmed with heartbreak, grief, anger, and countless unanswered questions,' read the Valdes' statement. 'The details surrounding that fateful night remain sparse, leaving us desperate for truth and accountability to honor Evelyn's memory.'
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Search on for man who bailed out of vehicle abandoning children inside, Miami police say
The search is on for a man accused of fleeing a traffic stop Tuesday morning in Northeast Miami and abandoning a car with two young children inside, according to Miami police. The incident began when officers attempted to stop a driver they said was behaving recklessly along Northeast 62nd Street. Rather than pulling over, the driver sped off, leading police on a brief pursuit. Children left behind in abandoned vehicle According to authorities, the man ditched the car in a parking lot near the 1700 block of Northeast 56th Street and fled on foot. Inside the vehicle, officers found two pre-teen children, unharmed. "The police had to get inside the vehicle," said local resident Sandra Williams, who witnessed the aftermath. "I was in my bedroom, got up, and saw a white car. It was left right in front of my house." Police say the children were safely reunited with their mother. No injuries were reported. Residents react to startling scene Neighbors described a morning filled with confusion and concern as helicopters circled overhead. "I kept hearing helicopters, didn't know what it was," said Rebecca Cummings. "It's awful. I can't imagine someone doing that. I hope they catch the guy." As of Tuesday afternoon, the suspect remained at large. Anyone with information is urged to contact Miami-Dade Police.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Where's Antonio Brown? Facing attempted murder, wanted NFL star left the country
FILE - Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown reacts courtside after the Miami Heat defeated Detroit 105-98 after four quarters of an NBA game at FTX Arena in Downtown Miami, Florida, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. Days after authorities in Miami issued an arrest warrant for Antonio Brown, the former NFL star has been traveling in the Middle East — but police don't consider him on the run. Brown, 36, is wanted on an attempted murder charge stemming from a May 16 dispute at a boxing event hosted by influencer Adin Ross. The seven-page warrant seeks to apprehend him, as signed by Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Ariel Rodriguez on June 11, and lists Brown's bond as $10,000 plus house arrest. Advertisement READ MORE: Antonio Brown charged with attempted murder after shooting at Miami boxing event In an Instagram post this weekend, Brown said he was in Iran, although the Herald's review of his latest posts show he has been in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In one photo, Brown is posing in front of a Buka Boxing banner; in a now-deleted video, he's seen in what appears to be in a red McLaren Artura at Masterkey Rent A Car. Both locations trace back to Dubai. Miami Police Chief Manny Morales on Monday afternoon told the Miami Herald that detectives believe Brown is still in Dubai, have been in contact with his attorney and expect him to be taken into custody once he returns to South Florida. 'We're not going to be sending anybody there,' the chief said. Advertisement On Sunday, Brown shared on X a screenshot of an exchange with ChatGPT, where the AI tool said he has been racially profiled by the media, fans and the NFL. 'How TF [the f---] You go from being victimized unto a attempt to murder you see they control the media,' Brown said in the post. 'Took a month to change the narrative...' The Herald couldn't reach an attorney representing Brown as of Monday afternoon. Miami boxing event ends in gunfire Brown was detained — but not arrested — the night of the shooting outside the venue, a warehouse located at 221 NE 67th St. in Miami's Little River neighborhood. Advertisement The day after the incident, Brown said in a post on X that he was 'jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me.' 'Contrary to some video circulating, Police temporarily detained me until they received my side of the story and then released me. I WENT HOME THAT NIGHT AND WAS NOT ARRESTED,' Brown said in the post. 'I will be talking to my legal council and attorneys on pressing charges on the individuals that jumped me.' Video posted to social media showed the All-Pro wide receiver appearing to hold a gun and running out of frame. Seconds later, gunshots were heard. Before the gunfire, Brown punched Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, a 41-year-old who later told police he has known Brown since 2022, according to the warrant. An off-duty lieutenant with the Florida Highway Patrol broke up the fight. However, witnesses then told the lieutenant that Brown might be armed. Advertisement Brown, the warrant says, was detained and searched. No firearm was found on him, although police found two spent shell casings and a damaged right-handed holster outside the venue. Brown was released because the man shot, later identified as Nantambu, was no longer at the venue. The next day, detectives reviewed security footage that showed Brown and two others attacking Nantambu before the shooting, according to the warrant. Security broke up the fight, and Nantambu walked away. Then, Brown took a gun from a security guard before running after Nantambu. Cellphone video shared on social media confirmed what soon transpired: Brown chased Nantambu to the sidewalk and fired two shots from close range. Nantambu, the warrant says, ducked as shots rang out. Detectives later interviewed Nantambu, who said he tried to leave after Brown attacked him. But Brown, he asserted, chased him with a gun and fired at him — possibly grazing his neck. Advertisement The two struggled over the gun before ending up on the ground, Nantambu told police. When officers arrived, Nantambu said Brown hid the weapon under a dark piece of cloth and walked away. Fearing for his life, Nantambu said he left and sought medical care at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital. Brown embroiled in controversy Since 2007, the Super Bowl champion wide receiver has been enmeshed in a litany of bizarre on-field incidents and off-field controversies, some of which led to legal woes. After spending a year at North Carolina Tech Prep to get his grades up, the dominoes began to fall when the Miami Norland graduate received a scholarship to play football at Florida International University, where his offer was later rescinded before the season started because of his involvement in an altercation with campus security. Advertisement During his decade-long career in the NFL, Brown made headlines for kicking Browns punter Spencer Lanning in the face mask, leaping onto a goalpost and throwing a Gatorade cooler, among other incidents. In 2019, Brown was sued by a fitness trainer who alleged that Brown had sexually assaulted her. He settled that federal suit. Shortly after, another woman detailed incidents of sexual misconduct involving Brown in a story published by Sports Illustrated. A year later, Brown was suspended for the first eight weeks of the 2020 NFL season for multiple violations of the league's personal-conduct policy. During his first year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brown destroyed a security camera and threw a bicycle at a security guard at his Hollywood home. Later, Brown was suspended for three games by the NFL for violating the league's COVID-19 protocols by misrepresenting his vaccination status. Also in 2020, Brown was accused of assaulting a moving truck driver over a payment dispute at his Hollywood home. He subsequently pleaded no contest to burglary and battery charges and was sentenced to two years of probation. Additionally, he was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation and to participate in a 13-week anger management program. Two years later, a civil court jury ordered Brown to pay the truck driver $1.2 million in damages due to the attack. Advertisement His polarizing career ended in grand fashion with one of the most peculiar moments in recent NFL history. In Week 17 of the 2021 season, during the third quarter of the Buccaneers' 28–24 win over the New York Jets, Brown took his jersey, shoulder pads, glove, and shirt off and ran off the field into the locker room. Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said in a postgame press conference that Brown 'is no longer a Buc' and that Brown refused to enter the game, prompting Arians to tell him to leave. Three days later, Brown released a statement claiming that Arians and the Buccaneers had engaged in a cover up. Brown claimed that an MRI on his ankle showed 'broken bone fragments stuck in my ankle, the ligament torn from the bone, and cartilage loss, which are beyond painful.' Tampa Bay released him two weeks later. He hasn't played in the NFL again.
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
4 Miami police internal affairs officers suspended amid drug test investigation, source says
Two police officers, a sergeant and a lieutenant with the Miami Police Department's Internal Affairs Unit have been suspended and placed on administrative leave as part of an ongoing investigation, according to a senior law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the case. The two officers were relieved after allegedly failing a random drug test, the source said. The internal investigation focuses on whether the sergeant and lieutenant followed departmental policies designed "to guarantee the integrity of the Miami Police Department remains intact," the source added. The department has not publicly identified the officers or released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the investigation. CBS News Miami reached out to the department officially and is waiting to hear back. We have also reached out to the president of the Miami Police Union and the Fraternal Order of Police and are waiting to hear back.
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
2 Miami police internal affairs officers suspended amid drug test investigation, source says
A sergeant and a lieutenant with the Miami Police Department's Internal Affairs Unit have been suspended and placed on administrative leave as part of an ongoing investigation, according to a senior law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the case. The officers were relieved of duty after allegedly failing a random drug test, the source said. The internal investigation focuses on whether the sergeant and lieutenant followed departmental policies designed "to guarantee the integrity of the Miami Police Department remains intact," the source added. The department has not publicly identified the officers or released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the investigation. CBS News Miami reached out to the department officially and is waiting to hear back. We have also reached out to the president of the Miami Police Union and the Fraternal Order of Police and are waiting to hear back.
