Miami

Drug Suspect Injured in Police-Involved Shooting in South Miami: Officials

A man is facing drug charges after he was shot by a police officer during a traffic stop in South Miami Sunday evening, officials said.

Michael Gavins, 36, is charged with marijuana possession, possession with intent to sell and resisting an officer without violence following the shooting in the 1400 block of South Dixie Highway, Miami-Dade Police said.

Gavins was hospitalized in stable condition but was released later Monday. He appeared in Miami-Dade bond court before Judge Mindy Glazer, where he was appointed a public defender.

"Basically we've got someone who was shot over quote-unquote possessing marijuana," his attorney said. "There's no allegation that Mr. Gavins had any weapons, there's no allegation that Mr. Gavins produced any item which the officer believed may have been a weapon."

During the bond hearing, Gavins showed the bandage from where he was shot on the right side of his chest.

"I guess he's lucky it was that side and not the other side," Judge Glazer said, as she set his bond at $2,000. His aunt, who also attended the hearing, said Gavins works as a security guard.

Police said South Miami officers pulled Gavins over just after 5 p.m. at a gas station. As officers approached the vehicle, they saw Gavins was in possession of narcotics, officials said.

Gavins was ordered out of his car and was escorted toward the police vehicle, but made an "overt movement" and ignored an officer's commands, police said. The officer fired his weapon, hitting Gavins in the upper torso, police said.

The officer wasn't injured. Police said a plastic bag containing several smaller bags of marijuana was seized on the scene, but didn't mention if any weapons were found.

The shooting remains under investigation.

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