16-Year-Old Boy Wounded By Miami-Dade Police During Confrontation

MIAMI, FL — A 16-year-old boy involved in a confrontation with police was wounded by officers in northwest Miami-Dade County Monday. The shooting occurred around 2:20 p.m. near NW 70 Street and NW 20 Avenue.

The boy, whose name is being withheld by Patch because of his age, was taken by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to Jackson Memorial Hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his "lower extremity," according to Detective Chris Thomas of the Miami-Dade Police Department.

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Police said the boy will face charges along with a 15-year-old boy, who was taken into custody. A third boy, who is also 15, was detaind by police but later released.

The names of the officers involved in the shooting were not immediately released but Miami-Dade police said one of the officers had 11 years on the force and the other had five years.

"Miami-Dade Police Department officers were dispatched to a call of shots fired, in the area of NW 75th Street and NW 17th Avenue," said Thomas. "Detectives assigned to the Robbery Intervention Detail were in the area and responded to the call. As RID detectives arrived, they observed three males fleeing on foot and bicycles."

Thomas said officers caught one of the boys "immediately." He was armed, according to Thomas, who said that the other two boys continued to flee.

"The remaining subject was armed with a firearm and at some point, as detectives attempted to apprehend him, shots were fired," Thomas said, adding that the boy had two firearms.

"A preliminary investigation revealed that the two guns found in the subject's possession are reported stolen," according to Thomas.

As with all police shootings involving Miami-Dade police officers, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken the lead role with respect to the shooting investigation.

To report a tip, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305)471-TIPS (8477) or (866) 471-8477. Alternatively, visit www.crimestoppersmiami.com and select “Give a Tip” or text "CSMD" followed by the tip information to 274637.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano