2 dead after police-involved shooting

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police have confirmed a woman and a man were shot after a police-involved shooting. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and the man later died from his injuries.

Miami-Dade Police report that two of their uniformed officers shot the woman they call a suspect in a theft. Early Friday afternoon, that woman took off from the scene of another crime, then struck a barricade post and tried to use car as weapon, police said. "It all started as a theft in progress at a drugstore located at 117 and Sunset," said Miami-Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta.

When officers showed up at the drugstore scene, security guards pointed out a black car. When police approached, the car took off, speeding northbound on Southwest 117th Avenue.

Near Miller Drive, the driver of the car wound up losing control and became stuck on the median. That was when, police said, the female driver tried to cut off police. "Officers at that point exited their vehicle, and as they approached the subject's vehicle, the female subject attempted to use the vehicle to strike another officer. Shots were fired." Both the female driver and her male passenger were hit.

Valaria Gonzalez lives nearby and heard the gunshots. "We were inside the house just eating lunch, and it was about 12:30, and we heard what seemed to be firecrackers."

But they were not. Neighbors said they heard about nine gunshots from two different officers. John Rivera, President of the Miami-Dade Police Benevolent Association, was on scene to offer this comment: "From our perspective, our officer acted very professionally, was in fear for his life and certainly had every reason to act the way he did, and we commend him, and once again, we're thankful we are not burying another police officer of this community."

The male passenger in that car was transported to Kendall Regional Hospital where he later died from his injuries. Early Friday evening, the car remained on the scene covered in a yellow tarp. The woman's body was still inside as Miami-Dade Police continue to investigate.

Southwest 117th Avenue remains closed between 58th and 56th Streets, as the investigation continues.

The ages of these suspects was not released. Police also have not said whether these suspected thieves got away with anything or whether they were armed.

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