A man brandishing a weapon during a fight in South Beach was fatally shot by a Miami Beach Police officer early Friday after refusing to put the gun down, police said.
The man, Marvin Pognon, was shot at about 4:40 a.m. across the street from Mansion nightclub after a fight between two groups of people at 1240 Washington Ave., police said. Pognon, 22, sustained a gunshot wound to the front torso and died after being rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital, police said.
A bike officer and an officer in a cruiser came upon the fight, which had spilled outside, and told Pognon to put down his weapon, authorities said.
When Pognon, who had his gun pointed at the officer from the cruiser, did not drop his weapon, the officer fired his, Assistant Police Chief Raymond Martinez said.
“We believe that the officer fired two rounds, possibly three, but that’s still early and we don’t have confirmation on that," he told reporters.
Authorities said the gun Pognon aimed at the officer was loaded.
Meanwhile, both directions of Washington Avenue in South Beach had been shut down at 12th and 13th Streets as authorities interviewed people involved in the fight.
Witnesses say they heard a burst of shots followed by three shots. There was also a heavily damaged Mercedes-Benz near the nightclub, and witnesses told NBC Miami it belonged to the man who was shot.
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Police said the incident had nothing to do with Mansion.
The investigation continues and the officer has been placed on administrative leave.
