Miami-Dade Police Used Taser On Motorist Before Opening Fire

MIAMI, FL — The motorist who was shot by Miami-Dade police after allegedly grabbing an officer's Taser, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and related offenses. Twenty-nine-year-old Jahmal Parker of Pompano Beach had gotten into a rollover crash that left his vehicle submerged. Traffic was snarled in both directions for a time between Key Largo and Florida City but later reopened.

Miami-Dade Police identified the two officers involved as 34-year-old Richard Bellon and 54-year-old Ronald Neubauer.

The crash and shooting took place near mile maker 114 and S. Dixie Highway. Mile marker 114 is located in the area of the 35800 block of South Dixie Highway.

Police said that Parker appeared visibly injured from the crash after he was pulled from the wreckage by other drivers. The driver's compartment was under water, according to police.

"After the arrival of two Miami-Dade Police Department offices and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel, the defendant became aggressive with rescue personnel and officers as they tried to provide aid," according to arrest documents. "The officers gave verbal commands to the defendant to calm down and allow rescue personnel to treat him. The defendant refused to comply with the officers' commands."

Arrest documents said that Parker reached for the gunbelt of one of the officers and removed the his Taser from its holster.

"After removing the ECW (Taser) from the officer's possession, the defendant pointed the ECW, which had a loaded cartridge at two MDPD officers," arrest documents charged.

"One of the officers discharged his ECW (Taser) at the defendant, however, the defendant continued to point the ECW at both of the officers trying to deploy it," arrest documents said. "Both officers discharged their firearms, striking the defendant. The defendant continued to disregard verbal commands despite being shot."

Police said that Parker was eventually taken into custody and brought to Jackson South Community Hospital, where he was in stable condition.

Detective Argemis Colome of the Miami-Dade Police Department said that a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officer along with several other drivers first came across Parker's vehicle as they were driving along the highway. He said they stopped to help Parker.

"The driver was assisted back to land by the FWC officer and the Good Samaritans," Colome said. "The FWC officer requested Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, and approached the driver in an attempt to render aid."
But Parker was described as uncooperative, even walking away, according to Colome.

The incident came at the start of a long holiday weekend as a number of motorists were making the trip between Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys.

One of the police officers was described as an eight-year veteran while the other was a 27-year-veteran of the force.

As with all police-involved shootings in Miami-Dade County, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will oversee the investigation.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano