3 Detained In Palmetto Bay Shooting Of Veteran Officer

PALMETTO BAY, FL — Three people were detained in connection with the Tuesday night shooting of an off-duty Doral police officer outside his Palmetto Bay residence, according to Miami-Dade police. Veteran Doral officer Lt. Gary King, who has served on three Miami-Dade police departments is expected to make a full recovery.

One of the men was later charged. See also Palmetto Bay Officer Shooting: Man Charged With Attempted Murder

"He was shot last night during an ambush robbery in front of his home," said the Doral Police Department in a statement released Wednesday. "He is okay and expected to recover."

Detective Robin Pinkard of the Miami-Dade Police Department told Patch that the two suspects were initially detained Wednesday morning but she did not know if either of the suspects had been formally arrested. Officials said later that a third suspect was also detained

Pinkard said the bandits took Officer King's weapon in the robbery.

Doral police thanked the community all the prayers and well wishes that poured in overnight as word of the shooting spread.

News reports said that King was home with his family at the time of the shooting. He was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital South, according to NBC 6 and Local 10 News. NBC 6 reported that two men may have followed King home.

NBC 6 showed video of the Doral police chief arriving at Jackson Memorial Hospital South. Watch below:

King has worked in law enforcement since 1969 when he joined the Miami Police Department. He served as a police officer in the Uniformed Patrol Division, an investigator in the Criminal Investigations Section, and a Motorcycle Patrol Officer with the city.

He retired after 12 years of service with the city in 1981 and then served with the Miami-Dade Police Department from 1982 until 2007, where he was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1990.

During time as a Miami-Dade office, he served as a Uniform Patrol Officer, Robbery Investigator, Motorcycle Patrol Officer, Homicide Bureau Sergeant and Motorcycle Patrol Sergeant. He retired from the county after 25 years of service.

He has been with the Doral Police Department for the past seven years, starting as a Motorcycle Patrol Sergeant in 2008. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2012. Since his promotion he has served as a Uniform Platoon Commander and is presently the Traffic Section Commander.

This is a developing story. Patch will provide additional details as they become available.

Photo courtesy Doral Police Department