Doctors expect full recovery for officer shot

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Doctors revealed good news about a detective's progress as he continues to recover at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

A gunfight outside what police later determined was a marijuana grow house Tuesday night left Miami-Dade Police Detective John Saavedra, 34, wounded, his alleged shooter dead and another suspect in handcuffs. Thursday, doctors at JMH held a news conference to talk about the detective's successful surgery.

Saavedra was hit by three bullets, just below his bulletproof vest. Two passed though him and a third will remain lodged in his pelvis for the rest of his life, doctors said.

According to police, Saavedra and other officers were investigating the home at Southwest 60th Avenue and 23rd Street, which police had under surveillance for several days. The shooting occurred after police went out to investigate a tip regarding narcotics activity at the house.

As police approached a man outside the home, police said Gerardo Delgado Sr., 56, passed by in a car and fired at the officers outside the house. Saavedra was hit and police returned fire, killing Delgado. Police arrested the man outside the home, later identified as Luis Lazaro Estevanell. He remains behind bars, facing various charges.

Meanwhile, doctors anticipate Saavedra to fully recover from his wounds. "There was two holes in his left thigh," said Emergency Room Dr. Jorge Garcia, "so our assumption is that the bullets went in and out of his left thigh, and there was three holes on the lower side of his right abdomen. In our exam, two of the holes connected, underneath the skin."

Doctors had to patch up Saavedra's small intestine and bladder. "He's doing good," Garcia said. "He's in good spirits. He was up and walking around today."

Police said they found a hydroponics lab in the home where Saavedra was shot. Meanwhile, Estevanell appeared before a judge in bond court Thursday. The judge denied him bond, and he remains behind bars charged with second degree felony murder, trafficking marijuana, possession of place/manufacture controlled substance and possession of cocaine.

Phil Horowitz, Estevanell's attorney, said, "The family's disappointed, and I'm disappointed."

Estevanell is due back in court later this month. Meanwhile, Saavedra is expected to be released from the hospital in about a week.

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