On Friday morning, following an alleged robbery and subsequent police pursuit that originated in Sweetwater and culminated in Medley, two individuals were transported to a nearby hospital, according to Sweetwater police. They also reported that another person involved in the incident was detained.
The incident invited the involvement of several law enforcement agencies, such as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), all of which are currently conducting in-depth investigations regarding the events of the day.
Details regarding the incident were shared in a press briefing conducted Thursday afternoon by the Sweetwater Police Chief, Sergio Diez, alongside the department’s Denunciations Officer, Alvaro Zabaleta. The incident initially unfurled around 10:50 that morning, within the vicinity of a warehouse close to Northwest 108th Avenue and 17th Street.
Zabaleta relayed the sequence of events to those in attendance, noting that Sweetwater police units had been quickly dispatched in response to numerous emergency calls describing an ongoing, possibly armed, theft. Upon arrival, the officers faced the suspects who were partaking in the criminal activity.
As Zabaleta painfully recounted, gunfire was exchanged between the officers and the suspects. Engaging in a northbound chase, the suspects were pursued and ultimately, successfully cornered in the city of Medley.
As per Zabaleta’s account, one of the apprehended suspects was discovered to have a gunshot injury and was speedily moved to a nearby hospital. The individual’s condition was reported as stable following their arrival at the healthcare facility.
Zabaleta delved deeper into the condition of the second individual transported to a hospital, who interestingly, did not sustain the injuries as a result of gunfire but required immediate medical care. Thankfully, this second person was listed as being in stable condition as well.
Moreover, a third person associated with the incident was also taken into custody as the authorities proceeded with their investigation. This individual awaits further legal action under the supervision of law enforcement agencies.
Zabaleta highlighted the pivotal role of the FBI in overseeing the thorough probe into the alleged robbery attempt, emphasizing its role in achieving justice and ensuring the perpetrators face the full extent of the law.
Chief Diez made it a point to acknowledge sincerely the safety of the officers involved in the incident. He notably asserted, ‘Today is a successful day, since all my officers remained unscathed.’
Diez expanded on the sentiment further, expressing praise for the swift actions of his team by stating, ‘We succeeded in disrupting a robbery attempt, a fundamental part of our duty as police officers. We strive to apprehend wrongdoers while ensuring the safety of civilians. Today was indeed a good day as we managed to do just that while ensuring our own safety.’
As Diez made apparent, their focus was on fulfiling their duty and ensuring none of their own sustained injuries, a sentiment that echoes the resolve of law enforcement officials everywhere.
In addition to the ongoing robbery inquiry, the FDLE is also examining the exchange of gunfire between the police and the suspects. This investigation forms an essential part of the broader search for the truth about what happened during the event.
Chief Diez confirmed that interviews with the officers involved in the incident are being held as part of the investigation by FDLE into the police shooting.