A violent confrontation in Miami Gardens resulted in the death of a man and the arrest of three others Thursday night. The deceased, identified by his mother as Daniel Lewis, 27, was fatally shot by Miami Gardens Police and ATF agents responding to reports of gunfire. Lewis' mother, Angela Lewis, expressed devastation, stating, "He was a good person. I want my baby, and I wish this never happened," as reported by WSVN.
The incident marks a continuation of recent violence in the area, shaking up the local community. "We were scared," a resident told WSVN, underscoring the distress that permeated the neighborhood following the shootout that took place along Northwest 27th Place near 161st Street. Miami Gardens Police officers and ATF agents were on a joint patrol when they were met with gunfire, which they returned, resulting in Lewis' death.
According to a WSVN interview, Angela Lewis contradicted the police narrative, claiming that her son was unarmed and suggesting that the police initiated the shooting. "My daughter was beating on the door saying someone was chasing them from the store, which it turned out to be the police, and my son, naturally, you know, he was in the house. He came outside to see, he just took two steps off the back porch, and they shot him five times," she said. Meanwhile, two guns were reportedly found near Daniel's body, according to ATF officials.
With the context of a recent spike in targeted and gang-related shootings in Miami Gardens, police and ATF have increased their presence in an attempt to deter further violence. "If folks feel that they can come out here and be brazen enough to commit this violent crime and fire upon our law enforcement officers, we will deal with them accordingly," Miami Gardens Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt told reporters. In a separate incident caught by neighborhood surveillance video on May 15, and another shootout on May 25, officials indicated the acts were targeted and gang-related.
Adding to the tension, a cousin of the deceased, Jafari Russell, recounted to NBC Miami, a terrifying chase involving unidentified vehicles that led to the fatal shooting. "We're being chased by three cars," said Russell. "I'm terrified for my life. There’s three cars — black, tinted-up cars — chasing us at 11 o'clock at night." The police, however, insist their response was necessary, emphasizing that officers returned fire only after being shot at by suspects.
No charges have been announced against Russell or the others taken into custody. Additionally, it remains unclear whether Daniel Lewis had discharged a weapon during the incident. Following the tragic events, Angela Lewis is calling for peace and the truth regarding the circumstances of her son's death. The Florida Department Of Law Enforcement is currently investigating the shootout.
