Man shot and killed by MD Police was security guard

MIAMI (WSVN) -- As the investigation of a police-involved shooting continues, authorities have identified the subject who was shot and killed. Police said he was involved in an aggravated battery assault  just hours before he was shot.

Police announced the subject as Alexis Suarez-Reyes, Wednesday morning. According to officials, Suarez, 47, was a suspect in an incident that occurred at Miami International Airport early Tuesday.

Police said Suarez-Reyes was involved in an aggravated battery assault at Miami International Airport where the victim in the incident was sent to the hospital with injuries.

They later received a call about a dispute that occurred at University Square Village, near Florida International University's Modesto A. Maidique Campus, which led them to the suspect.

When detectives arrived at the scene, at around 3:30 p.m., two Miami-Dade Police officers were already at the scene.

Sweetwater Police and FIU Police also arrived on the scene. "When those detectives arrived," said Detective Roy Rutland, "They did, in fact, locate the suspect of this investigation. There was a confrontation when they located him and shots were fired. We had at least two detectives fire at the subject, striking him multiple times."

Police said Suarez-Reyes was shot by Miami-Dade Police after he pointed a gun at them. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the apartment complex, in front of Apartment 809. "We heard three gunshots, so we went inside," said Ray Orellana. "About 10 minutes later, we saw that the police started getting here."

Police called him armed and confrontational. However, Mike Alvarez, a friend of the deceased, said that would be completely out of character. "We're talking about an individual that, if he sees you on the side of the road with a flat tire, he doesn't have to know you. He would just help. He would just lend a hand."

Police said the man was armed and had a bullet proof vest in his vehicle. "This was a very justified shooting," said the President of the Police Benevolent Association, John Rivera. "This was a very justified shooting. Our police officers had every reason to fear for their own lives and for the lives of the people in this community."

Rescue crews transported Reyes to Kendall Regional Medical Center where he later died.

Later on in the night, Suarez's daughter and wife arrived at the scene in tears. The are now spending time with family, we learned through an attorney, and have requested privacy. "His wife and daughter literally saw him get shot," said Alvarez.

Friends of the subject said Reyes was a security guard at a cargo shipping company called DHL at Miami International Airport. They said they believe officers used excessive force and had no grounds to open fire. "I just want some kind of justice because I know that he was a person that was totally incapable of doing what they say that he did or whatever allegation they had against him," said Mike Alvarez.

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