FDLE investigating after Miami deputy shoots, kills woman during mental health call
MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) — A Miami family is demanding answers after a deputy fatally shot a mother in a mental health crisis on Saturday while her 12-year-old daughter was present.
Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office say they responded to a home near NW 55th Avenue and 189th Street, just north of Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, around 4 p.m. for reports of a 52-year-old woman actively harming herself with a knife.
Authorities say they attempted to de-escalate, but the encounter turned into an altercation after deputies alleged the woman threatened them.
During the confrontation, one deputy reportedly Tased the woman as a different deputy discharged his gun and shot her. The woman was transported to the hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The woman’s older daughter told CBS Miami that her 12-year-old little sister was the one who called 911 for help, and was inside the home when shots were fired.
“I hear two gunshots,” the older daughter said, noting she was on the phone with her younger sister at the time. “Two gunshots in a house with no gun… It’s just my little sister and my mom in the room.”
The family expressed frustration at the scene and claimed they were left in the dark by investigators for hours.
“They’re not respecting us because we’re asking them, and nobody knows,” one relative said.
MDSO did not provide details regarding how the woman threatened deputies or why her threats triggered the use of deadly force.
“Our deputies are constantly training for situations with individuals that may be experiencing a mental health crisis,” an MDSO spokesperson said. “In this situation here, they attempted to establish that dialogue with that individual, but it was unsuccessful.”
Per standard protocol, FDLE will be investigating the use of deadly force, and the deputy will be placed on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete.FDLE investigating after Miami deputy shoots, kills woman during mental health call
