While clearing large swaths of the beach at Miami South Beach to thwart the coronavirus from spreading, police were dispatched to a shootout scene that caused panic among Saturday night’s revelers.
Deputies with the Miami Beach Police Department from 4:30 p.m on Saturday were clearing parts of the beach between 7th and 10th Street extending all the way to Collins Avenue, including Lummus Park—busy Miami Beach entertainment areas—in order to contain COVID-19.
PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE:
In an ongoing effort to reduce the spread of #COVID19 and minimize large group gatherings:
1. We will reopen Ocean Drive for north and southbound vehicle traffic (westbound turnouts at 8, 10 and 12Street). Parking will be eliminated on the east side.
— Miami Beach Police (@MiamiBeachPD) March 14, 2020
Miami Beach mayor Dan Gelber declared spring break season at Miami Beach over.
“To the extent that anyone can declare spring break is over, it is over this year,” Gelber said, according to WSVN7.
“It is important people understand what is happening in our city, because there are lots of cities, over 30 in Dade County and hundreds in Florida,” Gelber added. “We are an economic engine, and it’s important we lead the way on this.”
Local10 were interviewing a local police officer about the operation when they were interrupted by a dispatch call, the station reported.
Reportedly, an armed suspect was inside an establishment on Ocean Drive, causing an imminent threat. Police cruisers rushed to the scene along the 500 block of Ocean Drive, followed by the Local10 reporters.
A short but intense shootout ensued, causing hundreds of people to run frantically from the scene.
“An MBPD Officer was flagged down regarding a male with a firearm inside an establishment on Ocean Drive. Contact was made with an armed male resulting in Officers discharging their firearms,” MBPD said on Twitter.
POLICE: Officers on scene of a shooting incident along the 500 block of Ocean Drive.
Please avoid the area.
— Miami Beach Police (@MiamiBeachPD) March 15, 2020
“Well, we seen the police going over there, and then we were wondering, ‘What are they doing?'” witness Haley Meadows told Local10News. “Just so many gunshots.”
After the smoke lifted, a wounded male presumed to be the suspect could be seen transported on a gurney into an ambulance and transported to the hospital.
It is not clear whether the man was the suspect or what condition he was in. Local media said that no officers were injured.
