Miami

Suspect Injured in Police Shootout in Miami Gardens

An armed suspect was injured when a routine traffic stop turned into a shootout with an officer in Miami Gardens early Sunday morning, police said.

The incident began when a Miami Gardens Police officer conducted a traffic stop on car occupied by a man at West 183rd Street and 12th Avenue around 3:03 a.m. Sunday.

According to Miami Gardens Police, during the traffic stop, the man, later identified as 36-year-old Gary Sprauve, fired his weapon at the officer. The officer returned fire and struck the man.

Sprauve then took off and the officer chased him to 191st Street and North Miami Avenue, where he was taken into custody. The entire incident was caught on police cameras.

Police discovered Sprauve had an additional firearm and a bulletproof vest on.

"In a day and age when the tension is high between the police department and the community it's very concerning because you have an individual who has on a bullet proof vest." said Miami Gardens Police Chief, Antonio Brooklen.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue treated the man's injury and he was transported to Aventura Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The officer wasn't injured.

Sprauve was later booked into jail on charges including attempted first murder on a police officer and utilization of a firearm under the commission of a felony. He appeared in court Monday where he was ordered held without bond. It's unknown if he's hired an attorney.

"We use force as necessary and the final conclusion of the entire incident was restraint that they displayed not engaging in another gun fight when there was no threat, I can't do nothing but commend my officers," said Brooklen.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement is currently investigating the shooting.

Contact Us