A robbery suspect was shot by Hialeah Police before being taken by air to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center Tuesday night, Hialeah Fire Rescue said.
The suspect was shot near one of his lungs and was in serious condition, authorities said.
An officer working a security detail at the Publix Sabor at 1290 W. 68th St. shot the person in the parking lot between the super market and a CVS at about 8:30 p.m., police said.
"We know there was an incident where the officer that was working this job had to get involved doing security here at Publix. And it ends up with one subject being shot this evening," Hialeah Police spokesman Carl Zogby said.
At the hospital early Wednesday, family members identified the suspect as 30-year-old Javier Diaz. They claim Diaz wasn't armed, and said they're seeking answers in the shooting.
"We really want to know what happened, so if anybody was there and if you do know we would really appreciate it if you could say something," sister Susana Diaz said. "We don't know and we're the family and we're here and we've been here he's been fighting for his life since 8:30, now is when we come to find out his situation, which is horrible."
Witnesses said they think the shooting began with a purse snatching.
"I heard from the manager that somebody had their purse stolen and that someone else got shot, that's what I heard," customer Victoria Copoloff said.
Nearby resident Orlando Mora told Telemundo 51 that he heard four or five shots.
“I was a bit scared, and this is a quiet neighborhood and I’m sorry this happened. I’ve always lived here and nothing like this has ever happened,” Mora said in Spanish.
Javier Diaz's cousin Susana Lopez said: "I think it was unnecessary especially when I see my car because that was my car that I lent him, very unnecessary, shots everywhere."
Diaz's mother said she was told he was under arrest.
Diaz has a criminal record dating back to 1998. Some of Diaz's past charges include aggravated assault, battery, assault with a deadly weapon and attempted second-degree murder.
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"I am surprise, you know. He's made mistakes in the past okay but, it's been four years," Lopez said.
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