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Former Miami-Dade School Board Member Shoots at Police, Leads Cops on Chase After Dispute in Pembroke Pines: Officials

Solomon Stinson, 81, facing attempted homicide and aggravated assault with a firearm charges

An 81-year-old former Miami-Dade County School Board member was taken into custody Sunday after a shootout with Pembroke Pines police officers, a high-speed chase and a SWAT standoff, officials said. 

According to police, the incident started around 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Pembroke Lakes Mall outside the AMC movie theater over a parking spot. That's when the suspect fired shots at the victim's car, shattering her rear window. 

The suspect was identified as 81-year-old Solomon Stinson, who is a former member of the Miami-Dade County School Board.

Officials said Stinson took off in a car, and police saw him shooting at others on Flamingo Road and Johnson Street.

A chase ensued northbound to Sheridan Street and Flamingo Road. When they got to Sheridan and Flamingo, Stinson exchanged gunfire with police. None of the officers were struck.

Stinson then got back into his car and fled westbound on Sheridan. That's when he lost control of his car at 150th Avenue and Sheridan. 

Stinson then got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. 

A SWAT team caught up to Stinson but he was unwilling to surrender, officials said. They approached him and took him into custody using a "less lethal weapon," officials said.

Stinson wasn't injured by the gunfire, police said. No officers or civilians were injured in the incident.

Additionally, Pembroke Pines police say Stinson was involved in an aggravated assault in Miramar. In that incident, a woman approached his vehicle in a residential community. Stinson pointed his gun at the victim, as he drove through her neighborhood, officials said.

Stinson faces charges including attempted homicide, and aggravated assault with a firearm. Attorney information wasn't available.

Records showed Stinson began with career with Miami-Dade Schools in 1960 as a teacher at Holmes Elementary School. He was also principal of North Glade Elementary from 1970 to 1973.

Stinson was elected to the school board in 1996, and retired in 2010.

An investigation is now underway into the shootings. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. 

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