A Miami Police officer is currently under investigation after a caught-on-video altercation where a driver was attacked by a group of bicyclists along Biscayne Boulevard, near the Arsht Center. According to WSVN, the incident occurred on Sunday evening and began when the driver, who later became the victim, had an exchange with a cyclist. The dispute quickly escalated as more cyclists descended upon the scene, battering the driver and vandalizing his vehicle. Throughout the chaos, a police officer remained seated inside her cruiser.
Surveillance footage provides a clear view of the confrontation, displaying a gang of cyclists violently attacking – stomping on the man's car and using a bike to shatter his windshield. It wasn’t until other individuals, possibly fellow officers, ran over to assist, that the stationed officer exited her vehicle. As per NBC Miami, the officer did not intervene during the assault but was seen walking towards the altercation only after other officers responded to the scene.
The condition of the victim is still not disclosed, and the Miami Police Department has yet to release any information regarding his injuries or the identities of the assailants who fled post-attack. Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales stated, "The members of the Miami Police Department understand and take great pride in upholding their responsibility to protect and serve our community. We must act for the betterment of our community," in a statement obtained by WSVN. The department has since suspended the officer involved in the indecent and an internal affairs investigation is underway to determine the appropriateness of her response to the incident.
This isn’t the first instance where members of the community have voiced concerns about bicycle-related violence in the area. Previous reports by WSVN highlighted frequent bike attacks in both Miami and Miami Beach, with offenders commonly using the Venetian Causeway for their escape. As of now, the Miami Police have not commented on specific measures they will take to address this ongoing issue. In the meantime, the police force reassures the public of their dedication to safety and service, as emphasized in Chief Morales' statement following the recent assault.
