Miami

Miami-Dade Corrections Officer Shot Outside of His Home

A Miami-Dade Corrections officer was shot while working on his car outside his home in Southwest Miami-Dade County Friday night, police say.

The 51-year old off-duty corrections officer was apparently being robbed when he was shot, Miami-Dade Police said. Police said the robbers took some property from the officer’s home but haven’t said exactly what was stolen.

"They were able to take some personal property, and they shot him multiple times," said Detective Alvaro Zabaleta of the Miami-Dade Police Department.

A witness who only gave his name as Tony told NBC 6’s Justin Finch there were five to six gunshots and the officer was shot in the upper torso.

"We were playing football back there. We heard five to six gunshots," Tony said. "We hid behind the car."

Minutes later, Tony said, a person he believed may have fired the shots hopped a fence and ran away. The victim was lying on the ground and appeared to be bleeding from his chest, Tony added.

Police have not confirmed the number of shots or the exact injuries to the officer.

Guellmes was airlifted from the scene to a Kendall Regional Hospital and was taken into surgery.

No update on the officer's condition has been given.

“We are saddened by the incident that occurred involving our corrections officer," the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department said in a statement, adding that it was cooperating with the police investigation.

"It's sad that there's a family waiting in a waiting room right now, you know, praying that their loved one is doing well," Detective Zabaleta said. "But we need the community to come together -- provide all the information that you can."

Police are looking for a dark gray or silver vehicle, possibly a Ford Taurus, with damage on the driver's side. They describe the suspect as a 5'8" man with a medium build, wearing a black baseball hat, black hoodie and black baggy pants.

If you have any information on the shooting, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).

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