A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer who was fatally shot at a Miami-Dade gun range has been identified, as the investigation into his death continues.
The officer was identified Thursday as 40-year-old Jorge Arias. Officials said he was assigned to Miami International Airport and was a firearms instructor.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed Arias was also a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.
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His wife, Ana Mary Arias, said Thursday that he had been with CBP since 2013 and loved his job.
"My husband was very proud of his law enforcement family and even though he came from a small family he felt like he was part of a huge family and I can see it now," she said. "He was a great guy, a great husband. He was my soulmate and my person."
The shooting happened Wednesday morning at the Trail Glades Gun Range near Southwest 8th Street and Krome Avenue, as Arias was giving a range instruction.
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Miami-Dade Police officials said the shooting involved a second officer, and said Arias was hit in the chest. He was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition but later died from his injuries.
"A great officer, a great family, and it's a tragic loss," CBP spokesman Michael Silva told reporters at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
Miami-Dade Police officials said their homicide bureau is investigating the shooting, though the preliminary findings suggested it was an accident.
"This was a freak accident, completely unforeseen. If you ever speak to anybody or any of his coworkers he was like safety guy number one," Ana Mary Arias said.
The range has been in operation since the 1950 and is operated by Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department.
