Bodycam and aerial video released by the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office provide new insights into the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Kristofer Lazaro Laboy on June 17. The incident, which resulted in Deputy Kelvin Cox fatally shooting Laboy, followed a chase that began when authorities attempted a traffic stop on a yellow Corvette with illegal tints, as reported by Local 10.
According to the reports, Kristofer Laboy led deputies on a high-speed chase, eventually stopping his vehicle and discarding an item before being cornered at the Sunset Palm Villas Association complex. In the bodycam video, Deputy Cox can be heard shouting, "Put the gun down!" and "Oh, s---!" as he confronts Laboy, who was allegedly armed, prompting the deputy to open fire. The footage also shows Cox securing Laboy’s firearm post-shooting, which has been a point of focus for those questioning the events leading up to the shooting, as represented in a statement obtained by Local 10.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office narrative states that Laboy, after his car was boxed in, ran toward deputies while armed. They have also reported finding contraband in Laboy's vehicle, including marijuana and prescription Promethazine. Despite the release of the video footage, there has been a call from Laboy's family and their attorney for the unedited bodycam video to be released, citing concerns with transparency and true representation of the events.
Deputy Cox, who has 23 years of experience and was involved in two other fatal shootings deemed justifiable, has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation. "While a thorough investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is still underway, releasing this footage ensures everyone sees the sequence of events as they unfolded. Regardless of the outcome, my commitment is clear, to be transparent with our community, to hold ourselves to the highest standards, and to continue working every day to earn and maintain your trust," Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said in a statement obtained by NBC Miami.
However, the family's attorney argues, "The release of this footage by the Miami Dade Sheriff’s Office raises more questions than answers. This video shows unmarked cars with no lights and sirens chasing after Kristofer, putting him in fear for his life. The MDSO has released this heavily edited video to portray Kristofer as a criminal. Kristofer had no violent criminal history, was a licensed conceal-carry holder, and the firearm in his possession was a legally owned firearm," as noted by NBC Miami.
This case remains under investigation, which is standard practice in police shootings. Advocates and family members continue to demand more transparency in what has become a contentious and scrutinized case, that has once again put the practices of law enforcement under public examination.
