A driver who flipped his car into the water off U.S. 1 in south Miami-Dade near the Florida Keys was injured in a police-involved shooting Thursday afternoon after he confronted officers who responded to help him, officials said.
The incident began when the man was involved in a one-vehicle crash at Mile Marker 114, Miami-Dade Police Sgt. Carlos Rosario said.
A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer who happened to be nearby stopped to help the man, along with some good Samaritans, but the man became uncooperative and started to walk away from the scene, Rosario said.
"I do have some information that in fact some good Samaritans did jump in the water. I don't know exactly if he was dragged out of the vehicle or if he walked on his own," Rosario said.
The FWC officer called for backup and two Miami-Dade Police officers responded. As they approached the driver, he reached for one of the officer's Tasers and was able to remove it and point it at the officer, Rosario said.
At least one of the officers opened fire, hitting the man, who was later identified as 29-year-old Jahmal Parker, of Pompano Beach. Parker was taken to Jackson South Hospital in stable condition but will face charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and resisting an officer with violence.
The officers weren't injured in the incident. One of the officers is 54 years old and has been with the department for 27 years, while the other is 34 years old and has been with the department for eight years.
Footage from the scene showed the car upside down in the water just off the roadway with police and emergency vehicles at the scene.
Florida Highway Patrol officials said their troopers also responded to the scene and assisted with traffic closures and will be investigating the crash.
All U.S. 1 lanes reopened late Thursday after being closed for hours.
Officials said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting.
