Matthew Perez

Heated Town Hall in North Miami After Police Shooting

Things got heated at a community meeting in North Miami Tuesday night as emotions flared over the recent shooting at the hands of a police officer.

Councilman Phillippe Bien-Aime invited residents to speak, and they had a lot to share.

"That's a stain on this city that will go down in history," one speaker said.

Many said they are embarrassed and upset over the July 18 shooting of Charles Kinsey, who was unarmed and lying on his back complying with police in cell phone video of the incident.

Officers were responding to reports that a man had a gun on Northeast 14th Street. Officer Johnathan Aledda fired two shots at Kinsey, hitting him once.

Kinsey was caring for a 26-year-old autistic man who lived nearby.

"How did the officer not get close enough to see that person was holding a truck? And you said you miss? You're supposed to be trained, that doesn't make any sense," resident Jemmys Pierre said.

The city told NBC 6 a 90-day plan is in place for crisis prevention training with an emphasis on autism. Some are saying it's too little, too late.

"Why is it now after something happen and you want to train them, was it supposed to be before or after?" Santay Etienne said.

City officials couldn't answer specific questions on the case, which has been turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, but the city clerk did speak Tuesday.

"We won't try to justify what happened, we won't sweep anything under the rug. Justice will be served," Michael Etienne said.

The FDLE said it will take 6 to 8 weeks to finalize their investigation. Another meeting will be held Wednesday between community leaders and the city manager and police chief.

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