Lauderdale Police

Army Football Player, West Point Cadets Among Victims of Wilton Manors Fentanyl Overdose

An Army football player and West Point cadets were among the victims of a fentanyl overdose at a Wilton Manors vacation rental home that left six spring breakers hospitalized including two in critical condition, officials said Friday. According to a statement from West Point, four cadets were taken to the hospital, including the football player. Of the six involved in the incident, one person was not taken to hospital and one was not a cadet. The two cadets in critical condition remained intubated in intensive care units after spending the night at local hospitals, Fort Lauderdale Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve Gollan said Friday. At least one patient was treated and released, Gollan said. MORE LOCAL NEWS Miami-Dade Mar 11 Miami-Dade Police Fatally Shoot Erratic Driver Armed With Two Knives Fort Lauderdale Mar 11 Child, 7, Brought Gun to Dillard Elementary in Fort Lauderdale: Police All six of the patients were men in their early 20s and were in Florida for spring break from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York, officials said. None of their names have been released. The U.S. Military Academy is aware of the situation involving West Point cadets, which occurred Thursday night in Wilton Manors, FL. The incident is currently under investigation and no other details are available at this time, a West Point spokesperson said in a statement. A West Point official told The Associated Press that one of the cadets who was hospitalized is an Army football player. The official said another football player at the house was not hospitalized. The official had no further information and could not give the sickened player’s condition. First responders got a call just before 5 p.m. Thursday about multiple overdoses at the home in the 800 block of Northwest 29th Court, Gollan said. When paramedics arrived, they found the men in cardiac arrest in the front yard of the home. WHEN THIGH WENT DOWN INTO WHEN THIGH WENT DOWN INTO CARDIAC AARREST, TWO FRIENDS CARDIAC AARREST, TWO FRIENDS STARTED DOING CPR, THEY WERE EXPOSED. IT HAPPENED SO FAST. IT HAPPENED SO FAST. DANA LIVES A FEW DOORS DOWN. DANA LIVES A FEW DOORS DOWN. WE SAW THE PARAMEDICS PULLING THE KIDS OUT OF THE HOUSE UNCONSCIOUS, AND LAYING THEM ON THE GRASS. THEY SAY THE DEV FIG OF SPRING BREAK IS CHANGING. SPRING BREAK IS CHANGING. SPRING BREAKERS COME OFF THE BEACH, INTO COMMUNITY THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE SEEING HERE. THERE IS NO WORD YET ON WHICH THERE IS NO WORD YET ON WHICH SCHOOL THE STUDENTS GO TO. FOR NOW, ONE OF THE STUDENTS”,”video_id”:”2011704899726_516″,”video_length”:”140441″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”Rhd7nqOZiq4k”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”bgdVATVxJNZy”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”hqpuZ88f1A5G”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2011704899726″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Spring Breakers Overdose at Vacation Rental” data-vidcid=”1:10:2711109″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/spring-breakers-overdose-at-vacation-rental/2711109/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On”,”445300″:”News”,”248″:”Local”,”55249″:”News You Should Know” ” data-tagnames=” “1639”:”Broward”,”206″:”Broward County”,”2218″:”Miami-Dade”,”468802″:”News You Should Know”,”38812″:”Wilton Manors” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Police and paramedics began doing chest compressions, and after determining it was an overdose situation, quickly used the overdose drug Narcan, Gollan said. Some of the patients were able to regain a heartbeat after the Narcan, but four were still in respiratory arrest when they were transported to the hospitals, Gollan said. These are healthy, young adults, college students in the prime of their life, and getting this drug into their system, it’s unknown what the recovery will be, Gollan said. Gollan said four of the patients took a substance believed to be cocaine laced with fentanyl, and their two friends were exposed to the fentanyl when they tried to give them CPR. Fentanyl has 1,000 times the power of the same dose of morphine, its extremely, extremely potent, and can stop your heart, your respirations, Gollan said. The challenge is the drug that we use, Narcan, to reverse that, the amount of Narcan that it’s taking to reverse it. You get in a situation like this where you have so many people who are down at the same exact time, it becomes a challenge for the paramedics. LIVE, NBC 6 NEWS AT 11:00 STARTS NOW. SPRING BREAK SEASON IN FULL SWING RIGHT HERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA. AND WHILE OUR BEACHES HAVE BEEN CROWDED, BUT PEACEFUL, AT ONE VACATION RENTAL, THE PARTY TOOK A DANGEROUS TURN. A DANGEROUS TURN. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, I u2019M TRINA ROBINSON. WE u2019RE LEARNING THOSE STUDENTS WHO OVERDOSED ON FENTANYL WERE WHO OVERDOSED ON FENTANYL WERE CADETS FROM A PRESTIGIOUS MILITARY ACADEMY. KIM WYNNE SPOKE TO NEIGHBOR WHO u2019S SAY THEY ARE FED UP WITH THE ROWDY VACATIONERS ON THEIR BLOCK. KIM? Reporter: TRINA, THAT u2019S Reporter: TRINA, THAT u2019S RIGHT. AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE AIRBNB WHERE THOSE CADETS OVERDOSED. CADETS OVERDOSED. YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK BEHIND ME AND SEE THAT THAT HOUSE IS NOW SITTING EMPTY. IT u2019D PRETTY MUCH BEEN LIKE THAT IT u2019D PRETTY MUCH BEEN LIKE THAT FOR THE WHOLE DAY. NEIGHBORS SAY WHAT HAPPENED HERE WAS TRAUMATIZING AND THEY WANT THE PARTYING TO STOP. u266a A SEA OF SPRING BREAKERS DESCENDING ON THE SANDS OF FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH. WE u2019RE HAVING A GOOD TIME OUT HERE. Reporter: IT u2019S A PRETTY TYPICAL SCENE FOR SOUTH FLORIDA THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. BUT WHAT u2019S NOT TYPICAL ARE BUT WHAT u2019S NOT TYPICAL ARE SCENES LIKE THIS, FIRE TRUCKS AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES SWARMING A WILTON MANORS. THEY WERE TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE. Reporter: FIRE RESCUE OFFICIALS SAY SIX CADETS FROM THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT OVERDOSED THURSDAY AFTER TAKING WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS COCAINE. TURNS OUT THE DRUG WAS LACED WITH FENTANYL, A POWERFUL OPIOID WITH FENTANYL, A POWERFUL OPIOID WHICH CAN BE DEADLY. THIS MAN LIVES ACROSS THE STREET. WE SAW FOUR BODIES GET REMOVED FROM THE HOUSE, PUT ON STRETCHERS. WE SAW TWO OF THE BODIES JUST FLOP OVER. AT THAT POINT YOU START THINKING, OH, MY GOSH, WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE PEOPLE? HAPPENED TO THESE PEOPLE? Reporter: OFFICIALS SAY TWO OF THE CADETS ARE FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES USING A RESPIRATOR TO BREATHE. TO BREATHE. THREE ARE IN GOOD CONDITION, AND ONE HAS BEEN TREATED AND RELEASED. NEIGHBORS SAY THE SPRING BREAK ATMOSPHERE HAS CREPT ITS WAY INTO THEIR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY AT RENTAL PROPERTIES. LOUD MUSIC, PARTYING GOING ON. Reporter: THIS NEIGHBOR WHO DIDN u2019T WANT TO SHOW HIS FACE SAYS THEY u2019VE HAD ENOUGH OF THE PARTY VIBE. WITH TRASH, WITH BOTTLES, WITH TRASH, WITH BOTTLES, WITH GARBAGE, WR NOISE, PEOPLE SMOKING WEED, AND WE u2019RE JUST DONE, WE u2019RE SICK OF IT. Reporter: AND WEST POINT OFFICIALS SAY THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION, AND THAT IT u2019S UNDER INVESTIGATION.”,”video_id”:”2012105283610_873″,”video_length”:”148349″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”QEcmYabc3l6T”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”v7DvhpUN91H1″,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”DihC1_TOX1FL”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2012105283610″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Neighbors Fed Up After Spring Break Overdose” data-vidcid=”1:10:2711899″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/neighbors-fed-up-after-spring-break-overdose/2711899/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On” ” data-tagnames=” “38812”:”Wilton Manors” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Gollan said crews were working to make sure the house was safe to go back into. Rescue workers in hazmat suits were seen entering the home Thursday. Wilton Manors Police and the Broward Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident. Gollan said it’s unknown how many spring breakers were staying in the home, which is being used as a short-term rental. This is extremely alarming to us, here we are in the first week of spring break and we have something like this taking place, Gollan said. Obviously if there’s a bad batch, it’s normally not isolated just to one buyer, it normally goes to everyone that purchased that same substance from whoever they got it from. It brings great concern that there could be other ODs over the next couple of days just basing what we’re seeing with the fentanyl that was here. Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/spring-breakers-wilton-manors-fentanyl-overdose-west-point/2711426/)

Arrest Made in Fentanyl Overdose of West Point Cadets on Spring Break

A man has been arrested in connection with fentanyl overdoses that involved five West Point cadets who were on spring break in Wilton Manors, authorities said. Axel Giovany Casseus, 21, was arrested Friday on a cocaine trafficking charge, Broward County Jail records showed. Casseus was arrested following Thursday’s incident at a vacation rental home that led to six men and one woman being hospitalized, Wilton Manors Police said. A spokesperson for the U.S. Military Academy said Saturday that five West Point cadets were involved and four of them were transported to the hospital. One was an Army football player, the spokesperson said. Axel Casseus Casseus appeared in bond court Saturday morning, where the judge wanted to hear how police connected him to the Wilton Manors overdose case. A Broward Sheriff’s Office sergeant testified that investigators found the phone number for the alleged dealer who sold drugs to the spring breakers and used the number to negotiate a drug deal with Casseus. Undercover officers met with Casseus on Friday and he sold them 43 grams of suspected cocaine in exchange for $1,000, the sergeant said. The sergeant said the phone used to communicate with the spring breakers was found in Casseus’ possession, and Casseus admitted to participating in the transaction. But the sergeant said the cocaine undercover officers bought did not contain fentanyl, though it was present in the drug that led to the overdose of the spring breakers. The problem is, he can’t connect the fentanyl to this defendant, the judge said. Casseus hasn’t been charged in connection with the sale of the drugs to the spring breakers, but Wilton Manors Police and BSO are still investigating the incident. The judge set Casseus’ bond at $50,000. CERTAINLY AN ALARMING SITUATION IN OUR COMMUNITY WHEN SIX SPRING BREAKERS OVERDOSED HERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA. POLICE SAY THE STUDENTS ARE POLICE SAY THE STUDENTS ARE CADETS AT A PRESTIGIOUS MILITARY ACADEMY. TONIGHT TWO REMAIN IN CRITICAL CONDITION. NBC 6 INVESTIGATOR TONY PIPITONE NBC 6 INVESTIGATOR TONY PIPITONE JOINS US LIVE FROM THE HOSPITAL IN FORT LAUDERDALE WITH MORE ON THE STUDENTS AND THE FENTANYL EPIDEMIC. TONY? Reporter: WE u2019RE TALKING ABOUT CADETS AT WEST POINT. THESE ARE CADETS AT THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT. NOW, TWO OF THEM ARE IN CRITICAL NOW, TWO OF THEM ARE IN CRITICAL CONDITION ON VENTILATORS. ONE OF THEM HERE AT BROWARD HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER. THE OTHER AT HOLY CROSS HOSPITAL. THE OTHER FOUR ARE EITHER IN THE OTHER FOUR ARE EITHER IN GOOD CONDITION OR HAVE ALREADY BEEN RELEASED. NOW, WHILE THEIR STATUS AT WEST POINT SETS THEM APART, WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM HAPPENS A LOT, HAPPENED TO THEM HAPPENS A LOT, ESPECIALLY IN BROWARD COUNTY. ESPECIALLY IN BROWARD COUNTY. THE PARTY RAGES ON ALONG A-1A IN FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH. EVERYONE u2019S OUT IN THE STREET, EVERYONE u2019S EATING, EVERYONE u2019S DRINKING. WE u2019RE HAVING A GOOD TIME OUT HERE. Reporter: BUT A WARNING TONIGHT FROM A DOCTOR WHO KNOWS BETTER. THE PROBLEM IS THEY u2019RE FINDING THINGS THEY DON u2019T KNOW ARE THERE. SO WHETHER THEY u2019RE USING MARIJUANA, THEY u2019RE USING CANNABIS, METHAMPHETAMINE, IT CAN ALL BE LACED WITH FENTANYL. Reporter: BY ALL ACCOUNTS, THE FOUR CADETS WHO INGESTED THE FOUR CADETS WHO INGESTED WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS COCAINE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WHAT WOULD HIT THEM. FENTANYL IS A DRUG USED ANESTHESIA. Reporter: TRYING TO KEEP THEM OFF A LIST OF FLORIDA FENTANYL DEATHS THAT KEEPS GETTING LONGER EACH YEAR. JUST LOOK. JUST LOOK. ABOUT 2,300 FLORIDA OVERDOSES INVOLVE FENTANYL IN 2018. 3,300 IN 2019. 3,300 IN 2019. AND THEN 5,300 IN 2020. A 125 INCREASE OVER THREE YEARS. A BIG REASON, COVID. ADDICTION AND COVID ARE SIMILAR IN THAT THEY u2019RE BOTH DISEASES OF LONELINESS. SO WHEN SOMEONE IS EXPERIENCING COVID, THEY HAVE TO ISOLATE THEMSELVES. THAT u2019S THE WORST THING FOR SOMEONE WHO SUFFERS FROM AN ADDICTION. Reporter: AND BROWARD LEADS THE STATE IN FENTANYL OVERDOSES. THE STATE IN FENTANYL OVERDOSES. BROWARD HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE EPICENTER OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC. I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF AVAILABILITY OF THESE SUBSTANCES. Reporter: SOMETHING A GROUP OF WEST POINT CADETS FOUND OUT WHO CAME HERE TO PARTY FOUND OUT IN THE MOST PERILOUS WAY YESTERDAY. NOW, AGAIN, TWO ARE IN CRITICAL CONDITION ON VENTILATORS. THE OTHERS DOING BETTER. WEST POINT TELLS US THE MATTER IS UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND THEY HAVE NOTHING MORE TO ADD RIGHT NOW.”,”video_id”:”2012032067979_674″,”video_length”:”164765″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”fPJ_3YTIxxCm”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”SLDXng_wp5MP”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”6SigVDSETrUb”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2012032067979″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”West Point Cadets on Spring Break Hospitalized After Drug Overdose” data-vidcid=”1:10:2711819″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/west-point-cadets-on-spring-break-hospitalized-after-drug-overdose/2711819/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On”,”445300″:”News”,”248″:”Local”,”302″:”U.S. World” ” data-tagnames=” “206”:”Broward County”,”2101″:”fentanyl”,”59″:”Fort Lauderdale”,”46148″:”spring break”,”38812″:”Wilton Manors” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Fort Lauderdale Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve Gollan said four of the patients took a substance believed to be cocaine laced with fentanyl, and their two friends were exposed to the fentanyl when they tried to give them CPR. Police said a seventh person, a woman, was later transported to the hospital after feeling ill. When paramedics arrived, they found multiple men in cardiac arrest in the front yard of the home. Police and paramedics began doing chest compressions, and after determining it was an overdose situation, quickly used the overdose drug Narcan, Gollan said. Some of the patients were able to regain a heartbeat after the Narcan, but four were still in respiratory arrest when they were transported to the hospitals, Gollan said. These are healthy, young adults, college students in the prime of their life, and getting this drug into their system, it’s unknown what the recovery will be, Gollan said. LIVE, NBC 6 NEWS AT 11:00 STARTS NOW. SPRING BREAK SEASON IN FULL SWING RIGHT HERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA. AND WHILE OUR BEACHES HAVE BEEN CROWDED, BUT PEACEFUL, AT ONE VACATION RENTAL, THE PARTY TOOK A DANGEROUS TURN. A DANGEROUS TURN. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, I u2019M TRINA ROBINSON. WE u2019RE LEARNING THOSE STUDENTS WHO OVERDOSED ON FENTANYL WERE WHO OVERDOSED ON FENTANYL WERE CADETS FROM A PRESTIGIOUS MILITARY ACADEMY. KIM WYNNE SPOKE TO NEIGHBOR WHO u2019S SAY THEY ARE FED UP WITH THE ROWDY VACATIONERS ON THEIR BLOCK. KIM? Reporter: TRINA, THAT u2019S Reporter: TRINA, THAT u2019S RIGHT. AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE AIRBNB WHERE THOSE CADETS OVERDOSED. CADETS OVERDOSED. YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK BEHIND ME AND SEE THAT THAT HOUSE IS NOW SITTING EMPTY. IT u2019D PRETTY MUCH BEEN LIKE THAT IT u2019D PRETTY MUCH BEEN LIKE THAT FOR THE WHOLE DAY. NEIGHBORS SAY WHAT HAPPENED HERE WAS TRAUMATIZING AND THEY WANT THE PARTYING TO STOP. u266a A SEA OF SPRING BREAKERS DESCENDING ON THE SANDS OF FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH. WE u2019RE HAVING A GOOD TIME OUT HERE. Reporter: IT u2019S A PRETTY TYPICAL SCENE FOR SOUTH FLORIDA THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. BUT WHAT u2019S NOT TYPICAL ARE BUT WHAT u2019S NOT TYPICAL ARE SCENES LIKE THIS, FIRE TRUCKS AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES SWARMING A WILTON MANORS. THEY WERE TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE. Reporter: FIRE RESCUE OFFICIALS SAY SIX CADETS FROM THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT OVERDOSED THURSDAY AFTER TAKING WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS COCAINE. TURNS OUT THE DRUG WAS LACED WITH FENTANYL, A POWERFUL OPIOID WITH FENTANYL, A POWERFUL OPIOID WHICH CAN BE DEADLY. THIS MAN LIVES ACROSS THE STREET. WE SAW FOUR BODIES GET REMOVED FROM THE HOUSE, PUT ON STRETCHERS. WE SAW TWO OF THE BODIES JUST FLOP OVER. AT THAT POINT YOU START THINKING, OH, MY GOSH, WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE PEOPLE? HAPPENED TO THESE PEOPLE? Reporter: OFFICIALS SAY TWO OF THE CADETS ARE FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES USING A RESPIRATOR TO BREATHE. TO BREATHE. THREE ARE IN GOOD CONDITION, AND ONE HAS BEEN TREATED AND RELEASED. NEIGHBORS SAY THE SPRING BREAK ATMOSPHERE HAS CREPT ITS WAY INTO THEIR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY AT RENTAL PROPERTIES. LOUD MUSIC, PARTYING GOING ON. Reporter: THIS NEIGHBOR WHO DIDN u2019T WANT TO SHOW HIS FACE SAYS THEY u2019VE HAD ENOUGH OF THE PARTY VIBE. WITH TRASH, WITH BOTTLES, WITH TRASH, WITH BOTTLES, WITH GARBAGE, WR NOISE, PEOPLE SMOKING WEED, AND WE u2019RE JUST DONE, WE u2019RE SICK OF IT. Reporter: AND WEST POINT OFFICIALS SAY THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION, AND THAT IT u2019S UNDER INVESTIGATION.”,”video_id”:”2012105283610_905″,”video_length”:”148349″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”QEcmYabc3l6T”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”v7DvhpUN91H1″,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”DihC1_TOX1FL”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2012105283610″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Neighbors Fed Up After Spring Break Overdose” data-vidcid=”1:10:2711899″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/neighbors-fed-up-after-spring-break-overdose/2711899/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On” ” data-tagnames=” “38812”:”Wilton Manors” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/arrest-made-in-fentanyl-overdose-of-west-point-cadets-on-spring-break/2712036/)

Broward Bus Driver Hailed as Hero After Gunman Opened Fire

A bus driver is being called a hero for barreling into the parking lot of the Fort Lauderdale police headquarters after a gunman opened fire on the bus, killing two passengers. The shooting broke out just after 2:30 p.m. Thursday as the Broward County Transit bus was traveling down a busy road near downtown Fort Lauderdale, police said. When the driver heard gunshots, police said she forced her way into a turn lane and then pulled up to the police headquarters. Officers rushed out after hearing the commotion and the suspected shooter stepped off the bus and surrendered, police said. The bus driver in this particular case, her quick actions I am sure saved lives, Acting Police Chief Luis Alvarez said during a news conference Thursday. So kudos to her. She deserves to be applauded for her actions. WE BEGIN WITH A SCENE OF WE BEGIN WITH A SCENE OF PURE CHAOS. WHAT WAS AN ORDINARY BUS RIDE TURN INTO HORROR WHEN A SHOOTER OPENED FIRE INSIDE A LOCAL BUS. TWO PEOPLE KILLED, SEVERAL MORE INJURED. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. I u2019M JACKIE NESPRAL. AND I u2019M TRINA ROBIN SP. THE BUS DRIVER BEING CREDITED THE BUS DRIVER BEING CREDITED WITH PREVENTING A BIGGER TRAGEDY IN THOSE FRANTIC MOMENTS. TONIGHT WE HAVE TEAM COVERAGE. WE BEGIN WITH NBC 6 REPORTER WE BEGIN WITH NBC 6 REPORTER KIM WYNNE LIVE AT THE SCENE IN FORT LAUDERDALE DALE. KIM? Reporter: YEAH, HEY, GUYS. THE SCENE IS STILL ACTIVE AT THIS HOUR. YOU CAN SEE THAT THE BUS IS STILL HERE RIGHT NOW. THE WINDSHIELD IS COVERED WITH A TARP. NOW, TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED, TWO OTHERS ARE IN THE HOSPITAL. OTHERS ARE IN THE HOSPITAL. WE SPOKE WITH ONE WOMAN WHO SAID SHE WAS ON THE BUS RIGHT BEFORE IT HAPPENED. IT HAPPENED. A DEADLY SHOOTING INSIDE A BROWARD COUNTY BUS. ALL I SAW WAS THE BUS PULLED INTO IT POLICE DEPARTMENT. Reporter: IT HAPPENED JUST BEFORE 3:30. FORT LAUDERDALE DALE POLICE SAY THE MAN SHOT FOUR PEOPLE WHILE THE MAN SHOT FOUR PEOPLE WHILE THE BUS WAS HEADED DOWN BROWARD BOULEVARD. TWO OF THE VICTIMS DIED. THE DRIVER OF THAT BUS HEARD SEVERAL GUNSHOTS. SEVERAL GUNSHOTS. SHE CONTINUED WESTBOUND AND AFTER HEARING THE GUNSHOTS PULLED INTO THE FRONT OF THE POLICE STATION. Reporter: THE BUS HITTING TWO VEHICLES AS IT TURNED INTO THE VEHICLES AS IT TURNED INTO THE POLICE STATION. THREE PEOPLE IN CARS WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE FOR MINOR INJURIES. POLICE CALL THE BUS DRIVER A HERO FOR HER QUICK THINKING. THE BUS DRIVER IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, HER QUICK ACTIONS I AM SURE SAVED LIVES, SO KUDOS TO HER. SHE DESERVES TO BE APPLAUDED FOR SHE DESERVES TO BE APPLAUDED FOR HER ACTIONS. Reporter: CELLPHONE VIDEO SHOWS WHAT HAPPENED NEXT. RIDERS GOT OFF THE BUS AND RAN TO SAFETY. THE SUSPECT ON THE GROUND THE SUSPECT ON THE GROUND SURROUNDED BY OFFICERS WITH THEIR GUNS DRAWN. THIS WOMAN SAYS SHE WAS ON THE BUS ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE SHOOTING. I GOT OFF RIGHT BEFORE IT HAPPENED. IT SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME, I MEAN VERY BLUNTLY. MEAN VERY BLUNTLY. Reporter: POLICE SAY A GUN Reporter: POLICE SAY A GUN WAS FOUND AT THE SCENE. WE u2019RE NOT SAFE AROUND HERE ANYMORE. I FEEL LIKE WE NEED MORE PREC ON THE BUS. WE NEED TO MAYBE GET SECURITY ON WE NEED TO MAYBE GET SECURITY ON THAT BUS. Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE WAS ACROSS THE STREET WHEN IT HAPPENED AND SAYS THE SHOOTING SHOULD BE A WAKEUP CALL TO STOP GUN VIOLENCE. I STOPPED RIDING JUST FOR THAT PURPOSE. PEOPLE LIVE MATTERS, AND FOR SOMEONE TO GET ON THE BUS AND KILL ANOTHER PERSON IN FRONT OF OTHER PEOPLE, I DON u2019T APPRECIATE IT. COME TOGETHER AND PUT THEM GUNS AWAY. Reporter: AND RIGHT NOW THERE u2019S NO WORD YET ON EXACTLY HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE ON THE BUS AT THE TIME OF THE SHOOTING. ALSO POLICE SAY THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A MOTIVE. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED. FOR RIGHT NOW WE u2019RE LIVE IN FORT LAUDERDALE DALE, KIM WYNNE, NBC 6 NEWS. 6 NEWS. AND OUR TEAM COVERAGE MOVES TO BROWARD HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER. RYAN NELSON SPOKE TO ONE OF THE VICTIMS WHO WAS DISCHARGED TONIGHT. Reporter: WELL, INVESTIGATORS Reporter: WELL, INVESTIGATORS SAY THAT BUS DRIVER HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO CRASH INTO TWO CARS ON THEIR WAY TO THE POLICE STATION. AND TONIGHT WE HEAR FROM A MAN WHO SAYS THAT HE WAS INSIDE ONE OF THOSE CARS AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. HE SAYS THAT EVERYTHING HE WENT THROUGH TODAY STILL DOES NOT SEEM REAL. SEEM REAL. SHOTS FIRED ON A FORT LAUDERDALE DALE CITY BUS KILLING TWO. THE HEROIC BUS DRIVER MANEUVERING THE BUS TO THE FORT MANEUVERING THE BUS TO THE FORT LAUDERDALE DALE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR HELP AS SHOTS RANG OUT, BUT CRASHING INTO TWO CARS IN THE PROCESS. I HONESTLY ONLY THING GOD TOLD ME TO DO WAS GET OUT THE CAB AND GET GOING AND FIGURE IT OUT IN A MINUTE AFTER I WENT THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH. Reporter: NBC 6 CAMERAS WERE THERE AS VICTIMS WERE RUSHED TO BROWARD HEALTH. BROWARD HEALTH. THAT u2019S WHERE WE MET DARNELL THAT u2019S WHERE WE MET DARNELL COLES WHO SAYS HE WAS IN A TAXI THAT GOT HIT BY THE BUS. HE SAID HE WAS IN THE GUNFIRE BEFORE HIS SISTER PICKED HIM UP AND RUSHED HIM TO THE HOSPITAL. I WALKED DOWN THE STREET AND TALKED TO MY SISTER. I LOOKED UP AND SEEN A BUS CHARGING AT US AND THE BUS HIT US AND HIT THE OTHER CAR. US AND HIT THE OTHER CAR. AND WHEN I HEARD ONE OF THE SHOTS, I SAID I KNOW I CAN u2019T BE CRAZY. Reporter: HIS SISTER, TIFFANY HUNTER. IN A PANICKED RAGE BECAUSE I DIDN u2019T KNOW ALL THAT WAS GOING ON. I ASKED HIM WHY HE LEFT THE SCENE, HE SAID HE DIDN u2019T WANT TO GET HURT BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HE HEARD GUNSHOTS. Reporter: AND TONIGHT COLE SAYS HE u2019S SUFFERING SOME BODY ACHES AND HE SAYS HE u2019S GOING HOME TO REST AND HE u2019LL BE HOME TO REST AND HE u2019LL BE”,”video_id”:”2014053955821_102″,”video_length”:”264331″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”jSJ0iyZssfIW”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”ohjY0w3yUHAw”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”Yl5xwVQ1uIgw”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2014053955821″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Gunman Kills 2, Injures 2 on Broward Transit Bus” data-vidcid=”1:10:2716548″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/gunman-kills-2-injures-2-on-broward-transit-bus/2716548/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On”,”445300″:”News”,”248″:”Local” ” data-tagnames=” “206”:”Broward County”,”59″:”Fort Lauderdale”,”641″:”shooting” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Investigators said that as gunshots rang out, the bus driver realized the vehicle was pinned in and could not cross Broward Boulevard, so she maneuvered around a car that was blocking her and forced her way across the road. That is a difficult thing to do. Not many people would have behaved the way this bus driver behaved and to get to the front of the police station, Alvarez said. West Palm Beach Mar 18 Bridge Tender Arrested After Woman’s Fatal Fall From Palm Beach Drawbridge Miami-Dade County Mar 17 Miami-Dade Burger King Employee Arrested for Opening Fire on Customer Investigators said the shooter is a habitual offender. They still don’t know the motive. One person died on the bus after being shot and the other died after being taken to a hospital, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Stephen Gollan said. Another bus rider was in critical condition, while a fourth was seriously injured, officials said. Three more people were treated at the scene for minor injuries caused when the bus hit their vehicles. The two men killed in the shooting were identified by police Friday as 32-year-old Gregory L. Campbell Jr., of Lauderdale Lakes, and 41-year-old Danny Colon, of Tamarac. Jamal Meyers, 34, faces charges of murder, attempted murder, weapons possession by a convicted felon and violating probation. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement considers the man a serious habitual felon who has had numerous encounters with the legal system since 2003. Jamal Meyers According to court records, Meyers was sentenced in 2021 for 10 crimes committed between 2017 and 2019. Each conviction carried concurrent three-year sentences, so he ended up serving just five months in state prison after being given credit for more than 800 days awaiting trial. He was released on Jan. 8. It was not immediately known whether Meyers has an attorney to speak on his behalf. Download our local news and weather app for iOS or Android and choose the alerts you want. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/broward-bus-driver-hailed-as-hero-after-gunman-opened-fire/2716835/)

Deputies Shoot, Kill Suspect During Drug Operation in Broward County: BSO

Deputies fatally shot a suspect during a planned drug operation Thursday near Fort Lauderdale, officials said. The shooting happened before noon near the intersection of Broward Boulevard and NW 27th Avenue, near the Broward Sheriff’s Office headquarters. Officials identified the suspect as 23-year-old Zy’Shonne Johnson, of Delray Beach. BSO had a warrant out for his arrest on narcotics charges. Sheriff Gregory Tony said he heard the gunfire inside his office when it erupted in a heavily trafficked area that includes fast-food restaurants and a strip mall. Undercover deputies, including SWAT and ATF agents, had tried to arrest Johnson after making a drug buy, Tony said. Johnson sped away in his car and into the sheriff’s office parking lot, striking several cars. Johnson then tried to run, and when he was told to surrender, he turned toward deputies with a handgun, Tony said. At that time, two SWAT members fired their weapons, shooting and killing him. A DRUG OPERATION TAKING A DEADLY TURN. YOU HEAR BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, AND HE FELL TO THE STREET. A MAN APPEARING TO RUN FROM DEPUTIES SHOT AND KILLED. RUNNING THROUGH THIS COMMUNITY ARMED WITH A FIREARM. THE DEATH OF A 23-YEAR-OLD SPREADING PAIN THROUGH A LOCAL FAMILY. THAT SHOOTING BRINGING A BUSY AREA OF SOUTH FLORIDA TO A STAND STILL. LIVE IN FORT LAUDERDALE WITH WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE MOMENTS LEADING UP TO THE CHAOS. KIM. Reporter: WE ARE IN THE AREA WHERE THE MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON. WE SAW HIS FAMILY COME UP TO BSO. THEY DID NOT WANT TO SPEAK WITH US ON CAMERA, BUT SAY THEY WANT JUSTICE. I DIDN u2019T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. Reporter: A MOTHER OVERWHELMED WITH EMOTION, DEMANDING ANSWERS OUTSIDE THE BROWARD SHERIFF u2019S OFFICE. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW? Reporter: HER SON IDENTIFIED BY FAMILY AS 23-YEAR-OLD JOHNSON SHOT BY A B.S. O. DEPUTY AFTER A DRUG STING TOOK A DEADLY TURN. HE MOST CERTAINLY HAD A GUN. HE MOST CERTAINLY HAD A GUN ON HIM AND PRESENTED IT TO OUR OFFICERS. Reporter: SURVEILLANCE ON BROWARD BOULEVARD SHOWED WHAT HAPPENED. YOU COULD SEE THE MAN RUNNING FROM DEPUTIES THEN TURNED TOWARDS THEM. WE STOPPED THE VIDEO BEFORE HE FALLS TO THE GROUND. SHERIFF GREGORY TONY SAID THE SUSPECT IS ARMED. WE u2019RE SHOCKED HE DIDN u2019T KILL SOMEONE IN A VEHICLE. WE u2019RE SHOCKED JUST RUNNING DOWN THE STREET AND BEING ARMED THAT HE DIDN u2019T CREATE A GREAT SHOOTOUT WHERE INNOCENT CIVILIANS WERE BEING HARMED. Reporter: TONY SAYS AROUND NOON INVESTIGATORS WERE IN THE PROCESS OF WHAT u2019S CALLED A BUY BUST, OR A DRUG DEAL EXCHANGE INVOLVING THE SUSPECT. OFFICIALS SAY THEY WERE TRYING TO ARREST THE MAN FOR NARCOTICS AND DISTRIBUTION. BUT INSTEAD THE SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY SPED OFF IN HIS CAR, CRASHING INTO SEVERAL OTHER CARS, THEN GOT OUT AND RAN. HE DECIDED TO TAKE OFF ON FOOT, RUNNING THROUGH THIS COMMUNITY, ARMED WITH A FIREARM. AND WHEN OUR OFFICERS WERE ABLE TO PINPOINT HIM AND GIVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SURRENDER, INSTEAD HE DREW A FIREARM AT WHICH TIME OUR DEPUTIES FIRED ON THE INDIVIDUAL. Reporter: WITNESSES SAY THEY HEARD BACK TO BACK GUNSHOTS. ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HEAR BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, HE FELL TO THE STREET. IT WAS HORRIBLE. I SAW HIM GET SHOT LIKE AT LEAST SIX OR SEVEN TIMES, AT LEAST SIX OR SEVEN SHOTS WERE FIRED. Reporter: CELL PHONE VIDEO CAPTURES THE AFTERMATH AS FIRST RESPONDERS TRIED TO SAVE THE MAN u2019S LIFE. SOME WITNESSES SAY THE SHOOTING WAS UNJUSTIFIED. OBVIOUSLY HE WAS RUNNING. HE WAS NOT TRYING TO START A WAR, WHATEVER THE CASE WAS. IT WAS JUST AN UNJUSTIFIED SHOOTING TO ME. Reporter: AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOW INVESTIGATING THE SHOOTING.”,”video_id”:”2016295491632_905″,”video_length”:”169870″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”hylFSyTYGBaL”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”M5hJWZzWng5I”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”Ew9uoHZSNHFe”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2016295491632″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Deputy Shoots, Kills Suspect During Drug Operation in Broward County: BSO” data-vidcid=”1:10:2721686″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/deputy-shoots-kills-suspect-during-drug-operation-in-broward-county-bso-2/2721686/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On”,”445300″:”News”,”248″:”Local”,”55249″:”News You Should Know” ” data-tagnames=” “1639”:”Broward”,”206″:”Broward County”,”1949″:”Broward Sheriffs Office”,”59″:”Fort Lauderdale”,”2218″:”Miami-Dade”,”468802″:”News You Should Know”,”468101″:”police involved shooting” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” He decided to take off on foot, running through this community armed with a firearm, Tony said. When our officers were able to pinpoint him, and gave him an opportunity to surrender, he felt instead, he drew a firearm, at which time our deputies fired on the individual. The SWAT team deputies were placed on administrative leave pending the investigation, which the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is leading. Surveillance footage showed the moments deputies confronted the suspect. All of a sudden, you hear, ‘boom, boom, boom, boom’ and he fell to the street. It was horrible, said Keden Fuller, who said he witnessed the shooting. Obviously he was running. He was not trying to start a war or whatever the case was, Fuller said. At least 6 or 7 shots were fired. Zy’Shonne Johnson The suspect was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Johnson’s family, overwhelmed with emotion, demanded answers outside the Broward Sheriff’s Office. I need to know what’s going on with my son, his mother said. If it was your child, wouldn’t you want to know? Footage from Chopper 6 showed a large presence of law enforcement in the middle of the roadway. Drivers were asked to avoid the area due to the investigation. Miami-Dade Mar 24 Police Search for Gunman After Deadly Shooting at Kendall Apartment Complex Florida Mar 24 Driver Dies After Car Hits 11-Foot Alligator Near Tampa: Deputies Stay informed about local news and weather. Get the NBC 6 South Florida app for iOS or Android and pick your alerts. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/suspect-in-custody-broward-deputy-shooting/2721205/)

Crying, Panic in 911 Calls From Wilton Manors Fentanyl Overdoses

A person can be heard crying in the background of frantic 911 calls made from a Wilton Manors home where multiple spring breakers including West Point cadets suffered a fentanyl overdose. Six men and a woman were rushed to local hospitals from the home following the March 10 incident, Wilton Manors Police officials said. We took some coke and we’re not getting good responses right now, a man says in the first 911 call released on Wednesday. People are passing out. Three people passed out. Three people are passing out? the 911 operator asks. Yeah, it’s because they drank a lot. Like a lot, a lot, the man responds. An enormous amount. TURNING NOW TO A STORY WE u2019VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS WEEK. A MAN IS ACCUSED OF SELLING THE DRUGS THAT LED TO THE OVERDOSE OF SIX COLLEGE STUDENTS. OF SIX COLLEGE STUDENTS. FOUR OF THEM ARE WEST POINT FOUR OF THEM ARE WEST POINT CADETS WHO WERE SPENDING THEIR SPRING BREAK AT A VACATION RENTAL IN WILTON MANORS. Reporter: POLICE SAY THEY FOUND AXEL CASSIUS THROUGH HIS FOUND AXEL CASSIUS THROUGH HIS CELL PHONE. THEY SAY HE LATER ADMITTED TO THEY SAY HE LATER ADMITTED TO BEING INVOLVED IN THE DRUG DEAL. HE APPEARED IN COURT HOURS AFTER POLICE SAY HE SOLD DRUGS TO UNDERCOVER OFFICERS. UNDERCOVER OFFICERS. THE JUDGE WANTED TO HEAR HOW THEY PINNED HIM TO THE WILTON MANORS OVERDOSE CASE INVOLVING CADETS FROM WEST POINT. CADETS FROM WEST POINT. WHAT CONNECTION DID THIS WHAT CONNECTION DID THIS DEFENDANT HAVE DIRECTLY WITH THE DRUGS THAT CAUSED THE OVERDOSE? Reporter: POLICE SAY THEY FOUND THE PHONE NUMBER FOR THE DEALER WHO SOLD DRUGS TO THE SPRING BREAKERS AND INTRODUCED UNDERCOVER OFFICERS TO CATCH HIM. CASSIUS SAID HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE SPRING BREAKERS WHO OVERDOSED. WHO OVERDOSED. HE ADMITTED TO BEING INSIDE THE VEHICLE, PARTICIPATING IN SOME FORM OR FASHION TO THAT TRANSACTION. WE FOUND THE PHONE THAT HE WAS USING TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM ON IN HIS POSSESSION AT THAT TIME. Reporter: POLICE SAY THE COCAINE UNDERCOVER OFFICERS BOUGHT DID NOT CONTAIN FENTANYL. BOUGHT DID NOT CONTAIN FENTANYL. THE DRUG THAT LED TO THE OVERDOSE OF SIXING SPRING SPRING FROM NEW YORK DID. FROM NEW YORK DID. YOU CAN u2019T CONNECT THE FENLTAL FENTANYL TO THIS DEFENDANT. Reporter: THEY WOUNDFOUND ONE YOUNG MAN IN CARDIAC ARREST. A WOMAN WAS TAKEN TO THE A WOMAN WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER FEELING ILL. THESE ARE HEALTHY YOUNG ADULTS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, IN THE ADULTS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, IN THE PRIME OF THEIR LIFE. GETTING THIS DRUG INTO THEIR SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, IT u2019S UNKNOWN WHAT THE RECOVERY WILL BE ON THE CRITICAL INDIVIDUAL. Reporter: AS SPRING BREAKERS CONTINUE TO MAKE SOUTH FLORIDA THEIR PLAYGROUND, LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH A STRONG MESSAGE REGARDING THE DANGERS OF MESSAGE REGARDING THE DANGERS OF THIS DRUG. WHEN YOU DO THESE TYPE OF DRUGS, YOU ARE PLAYING WITH YOUR LIFE. Reporter: I DID REACH OUT TO Reporter: I DID REACH OUT TO POLICE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THE PATIENTS, BUT I COULDN u2019T GET AN ANSWER REGARDING THE OPEN INVESTIGATION. WE DO KNOW THIS HOME HERE IN WILTON MANORS HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE AIRBNB WEBSITE.”,”video_id”:”2012232259963_872″,”video_length”:”168469″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”iD2kZfeQxnJh”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”wRErltR36mWB”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”uOJoFw_fgkUn”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2012232259963″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Arrest Made in Fentanyl Overdose of West Point Cadets on Spring Break” data-vidcid=”1:10:2712175″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/arrest-made-in-fentanyl-overdose-of-west-point-cadets-on-spring-break/2712175/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On”,”445300″:”News”,”248″:”Local” ” data-tagnames=” “1639”:”Broward”,”206″:”Broward County”,”2101″:”fentanyl”,”645708″:”Fentanyl Overdose”,”59″:”Fort Lauderdale”,”45166″:”overdose”,”46148″:”spring break”,”472349″:”West Point”,”38812″:”Wilton Manors” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” At one point, the call is disconnected and the man calls back and gets a different operator. They did some coke and they’ve been drinking heavily for the last couple of days, the man explains to the new operator. As the call continues a person can be heard crying in the background and a man is heard saying hold it together, hold it together before paramedics arrive at the home. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials said four of the patients had taken a substance believed to be cocaine laced with fentanyl. Their two friends were exposed to the fentanyl when they tried to give them CPR. Police said a seventh person, a woman, was later transported to the hospital after feeling ill. When paramedics arrived, they found multiple men in cardiac arrest in the front yard of the home, which was a short-term vacation rental. LIVE, NBC 6 NEWS AT 11:00 STARTS NOW. SPRING BREAK SEASON IN FULL SWING RIGHT HERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA. AND WHILE OUR BEACHES HAVE BEEN CROWDED, BUT PEACEFUL, AT ONE VACATION RENTAL, THE PARTY TOOK A DANGEROUS TURN. A DANGEROUS TURN. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, I u2019M TRINA ROBINSON. WE u2019RE LEARNING THOSE STUDENTS WHO OVERDOSED ON FENTANYL WERE WHO OVERDOSED ON FENTANYL WERE CADETS FROM A PRESTIGIOUS MILITARY ACADEMY. KIM WYNNE SPOKE TO NEIGHBOR WHO u2019S SAY THEY ARE FED UP WITH THE ROWDY VACATIONERS ON THEIR BLOCK. KIM? Reporter: TRINA, THAT u2019S Reporter: TRINA, THAT u2019S RIGHT. AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE AIRBNB WHERE THOSE CADETS OVERDOSED. CADETS OVERDOSED. YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK BEHIND ME AND SEE THAT THAT HOUSE IS NOW SITTING EMPTY. IT u2019D PRETTY MUCH BEEN LIKE THAT IT u2019D PRETTY MUCH BEEN LIKE THAT FOR THE WHOLE DAY. NEIGHBORS SAY WHAT HAPPENED HERE WAS TRAUMATIZING AND THEY WANT THE PARTYING TO STOP. u266a A SEA OF SPRING BREAKERS DESCENDING ON THE SANDS OF FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH. WE u2019RE HAVING A GOOD TIME OUT HERE. Reporter: IT u2019S A PRETTY TYPICAL SCENE FOR SOUTH FLORIDA THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. BUT WHAT u2019S NOT TYPICAL ARE BUT WHAT u2019S NOT TYPICAL ARE SCENES LIKE THIS, FIRE TRUCKS AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES SWARMING A WILTON MANORS. THEY WERE TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE. Reporter: FIRE RESCUE OFFICIALS SAY SIX CADETS FROM THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT OVERDOSED THURSDAY AFTER TAKING WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS COCAINE. TURNS OUT THE DRUG WAS LACED WITH FENTANYL, A POWERFUL OPIOID WITH FENTANYL, A POWERFUL OPIOID WHICH CAN BE DEADLY. THIS MAN LIVES ACROSS THE STREET. WE SAW FOUR BODIES GET REMOVED FROM THE HOUSE, PUT ON STRETCHERS. WE SAW TWO OF THE BODIES JUST FLOP OVER. AT THAT POINT YOU START THINKING, OH, MY GOSH, WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE PEOPLE? HAPPENED TO THESE PEOPLE? Reporter: OFFICIALS SAY TWO OF THE CADETS ARE FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES USING A RESPIRATOR TO BREATHE. TO BREATHE. THREE ARE IN GOOD CONDITION, AND ONE HAS BEEN TREATED AND RELEASED. NEIGHBORS SAY THE SPRING BREAK ATMOSPHERE HAS CREPT ITS WAY INTO THEIR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY AT RENTAL PROPERTIES. LOUD MUSIC, PARTYING GOING ON. Reporter: THIS NEIGHBOR WHO DIDN u2019T WANT TO SHOW HIS FACE SAYS THEY u2019VE HAD ENOUGH OF THE PARTY VIBE. WITH TRASH, WITH BOTTLES, WITH TRASH, WITH BOTTLES, WITH GARBAGE, WR NOISE, PEOPLE SMOKING WEED, AND WE u2019RE JUST DONE, WE u2019RE SICK OF IT. Reporter: AND WEST POINT OFFICIALS SAY THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION, AND THAT IT u2019S UNDER INVESTIGATION.”,”video_id”:”2012105283610_286″,”video_length”:”148349″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”QEcmYabc3l6T”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”v7DvhpUN91H1″,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”DihC1_TOX1FL”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2012105283610″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Neighbors Fed Up After Spring Break Overdose” data-vidcid=”1:10:2711899″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/neighbors-fed-up-after-spring-break-overdose/2711899/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On” ” data-tagnames=” “38812”:”Wilton Manors” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Fire officials said Friday that two of the patients were critically ill and on ventilators. A spokesperson for the U.S. Military Academy said Saturday that five West Point cadets were involved and four of them were transported to the hospital. One was an Army football player, the spokesperson said. On Wednesday, fire officials said all but one person had been released, and that the one who remained hospitalized was in good condition and no longer on a ventilator. A man was later arrested in connection with the incident, police said. At the home Wednesday taped to the door was a notice of violation from the police department’s code compliance unit for failing to adhere to the city’s vacation rental ordinance regarding max occupancy and licensing. Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/crying-panic-in-911-calls-from-wilton-manors-fentanyl-overdoses/2715053/)

‘He Was Special’: Family, Friends Mourn Shooters Employee Killed in Restaurant Shooting

Family, friends and co-workers are mourning an employee of a popular Fort Lauderdale restaurant who was shot and killed at the eatery allegedly by a former employee. A memorial was growing outside Shooters Waterfront restaurant Wednesday for the victim, identified as 35-year-old Jordan Siddiq, a day after the shocking act of violence. Siddiq was also a real estate agent and helped his family run Sterling Dry Cleaners in Davie. He was described by family members as a hard worker, selfless, and the best son. My father is handicapped and always took him to lunch and helped him with whatever he needed, was the best big brother, was always there to listen to me and give me advice for whatever I needed, his sister, Christine Siddiq, said in a statement Wednesday. Dozens showed up to the restaurant Wednesday to pay their respects with flowers and pictures of Siddiq, who friends said worked as a server and lived in Weston. Somebody should not have lost what they lost yesterday, one friend said. MEANWHILE, A MAKESHIFT MEANWHILE, A MAKESHIFT MEMORIAL IS OUTSIDE SHOOTERS RESTAURANT IN FORT LAUDERDALE TO REMEMBER JORDAN SIDDIQ. SIDDIQ, WHO YOU SEE THERE, WORKED AT THAT RESTAURANT, HE WAS SHOT AND KILLED, ACCORDING TO POLICE, BY AN EX-EMPLOYEE. NBC 6 REPORTER LAURA RODRIGUEZ SPOKE TO THOSE WHO KNEW AND WORKED WITH HIM. AND JOINS US NOW FROM FORT LAUDERDALE WITH THE LATEST. Reporter: I u2019VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE VICTIM u2019S SISTER. SHE TELLS ME HER FAMILY IS HEARTBROKEN. SHE DESCRIBES YESTERDAY AS THE WORST DAY OF THEIR LIVES. MEANTIME A MEMORIAL CONTINUES TO GROW OUTSIDE OF SHOOTERS GROW OUTSIDE OF SHOOTERS WATERFRONT. AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE COME BY TODAY TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO JORDAN. WE u2019RE ALL GOING TO MISS HIM, AND IT SHOULDN u2019T HAVE HAPPENED TO HIM. Reporter: FLOWERS AND CANDLES LINING THE MAIN ENTRANCE. DOZENS OF PEOPLE STOPPED BY THE RESTAURANT FOR A PRIVATE VIGIL INSIDE TO HONOR SIDDIQ. INSIDE TO HONOR SIDDIQ. HE WAS A GREAT PERSON, HE WAS LOVED. Reporter: THE 35-YEAR-OLD SERVER WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY A SERVER WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY A FORMER CO-WORKER MOMENTS AFTER STARTING HIS SHIFT TUESDAY AFTERNOON. FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE SAY ANGEL CANDELARIA OPENED FIRE IN THE PATIO AREA PACKED WITH PEOPLE. FOR A SENSELESS ACT, WHAT CAN I SAY? I MEAN, HE DIDN u2019T DESERVE THAT. I MEAN, HE DIDN u2019T DESERVE THAT. NOBODY DESERVED THAT. Reporter: CANDELARIA SPARKED AN ALL-OUT MAN HUT FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS. TWO YEARS. HE WAS LATER ARRESTED ABOUT THREE MILES AWAY AND TAKEN TO THE BROWARD COUNTY JAIL. THE EX-RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE NOW FACES A FIRST-DEGREE MURDER CHARGE. A JUDGE ORDERED HIM HELD WITHOUT BOND. POLICE HAVE NOT SPECIFIED WHY THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT. LOVE EVERYBODY AROUND YOU LOVE EVERYBODY AROUND YOU BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU u2019RE NOT GOING TO SEE THEM AGAIN. Reporter: THE RESTAURANT IS CLOSED FOR THE DAY. CLOSED FOR THE DAY. SO MANY EMPLOYEES HERE REALLY GRIEVING OVER THIS TRAGEDY THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY. NOW, FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE ARE NOW ASKING FOR ANY VIDEO RELATED TO THIS INCIDENT IF YOU HAVE ANY CELL PHONE VIDEO OR SURVEILLANCE VIDEO, THEY u2019D LIKE IT TO HELP WITH THEIR INVESTIGATION. REPORTING IN FORT LAUDERDALE,”,”video_id”:”2013552195806_888″,”video_length”:”125426″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”cVX0RYSDtuLG”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”WLasHNp_Wd5I”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”C2UegzQRCond”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2013552195806″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Memorial Grows for Restaurant Worker Who Was Killed by Former Employee” data-vidcid=”1:10:2715432″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/memorial-grows-for-restaurant-worker-who-was-killed-by-former-employee/2715432/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On”,”445300″:”News”,”248″:”Local” ” data-tagnames=” “206”:”Broward County”,”59″:”Fort Lauderdale”,”511681″:”shooters waterfront”,”641″:”shooting” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” What can I say. He didn’t deserve that. Nobody deserved that, another friend said. The restaurant remained closed Wednesday as what appeared to be a private vigil was taking place inside. He was a great person, he was a positive person, he was loved, co-worker Bobby Berson said. Siddiq graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas with honors in high school. He was a major animal lover, and rescued two cats from a kill shelter, his sister said. was a friend to anyone and everyone that needed a friend, Christine Siddiq said. He had an infectious smile and laugh, always positive, always happy. He loved life. He was my best friend. Courtesy: Christine Siddiq The normally relaxing waterfront restaurant erupted into chaos around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday when a former employee, identified by police as 33-year-old Angel Candelaria, allegedly showed up and shot Siddiq in the patio area. Siddiq was rushed to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. Candelaria fled the scene but was taken into custody less than two hours later, Fort Lauderdale Police officials said. Police said a gun was recovered. Candelaria faces a first-degree murder charge, and remained behind bars Wednesday, jail records showed. Angel Candelaria One friend said Candelaria and Siddiq may have had issues over a woman. All of the friends who spoke said they’re still in shock over Siddiq’s killing. He was an amazing person. He wasn’t just a server, that guy was a character, he was something, he was special, one friend said. Police said the shooting remains under investigation. South Florida Mar 16 Man Killed, Another Hospitalized in Shooting on Palmetto Expressway in Miami Wilton Manors Mar 16 Crying, Panic in 911 Calls From Wilton Manors Fentanyl Overdoses Download our local news and weather app for iOS or Android and choose the alerts you want. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/he-was-special-friends-mourn-shooters-employee-killed-in-restaurant-shooting/2714890/)

Business Owner, Son Speak Out After Miami-Dade Cops Roughly Arrest Convicted Felon

A southwest Miami-Dade business owner and his son are speaking out about getting arrested while Miami-Dade officers were seen on camera roughly taking a convicted felon into custody. The incident happened Thursday night when Miami-Dade Police officers were arresting Jarvis Swanson, later charging him with carrying a weapon as a convicted felon. Drug charges from October also kept in him jail past his initial bond hearing. In the video that was later posted online and went viral, officers are seen struggling with Swanson while he is on the ground. One officer is seen punching Swanson in the side of his head. People are heard yelling at the officers, and others can be heard telling those recording to get images of the officers’ faces. AND I u2019M JAWAN STRADER. NBC 6 u2019S WILLARD SHEPARD IS LIVE OUTSIDE THE COUNTY JAIL IN NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT THAT CELL PHONE CLOSER LOOK AT THAT CELL PHONE VIDEO. WILLARD? Reporter: YEAH, JAWAN AND ROXIE. THIS MAN WHO WAS THERE ON THE GROUND, MR. SWANSON, HE IS BEING HELD HERE BEHIND ME AT LEAST UNTIL MONDAY BECAUSE OF A PREVIOUS CHARGE AND FOUR OFFICERS OF THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT, AN INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY INTO THEM. IS UNDERWAY INTO THEM. AND THEY ARE NOW ON ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES. HEY. Reporter: THIS WAS THE SCENE Reporter: THIS WAS THE SCENE LAST NIGHT IN SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE. POLICE WERE AT THE LOCATION TRYING TO TAKE JAVARIS SWANSON INTO CUSTODY. THREE OTHERS ALSO ENDED UP BEING ARRESTED. PEOPLE WERE HEARD YELLING AT THE OFFICERS. AND OTHERS CAN BE HEARD TELLING THOSE RECORDING TO GET IMAGES OF THOSE RECORDING TO GET IMAGES OF THE OFFICERS u2019 FACES. THE OFFICERS ARE SEEN STRUGGLING WITH SWANSON WHILE HE u2019S ON THE GROUND. SWANSON WAS CHARGED WITH HAVING A WEAPON WHEN HE u2019S A CONVICTED FELON, AND RESISTING ARREST WITHOUT VIOLENCE. IN BOND COURT FRIDAY, THE JUDGE IN BOND COURT FRIDAY, THE JUDGE REVIEWED THE CHARGES AGAINST SWANSON FROM OCTOBER. SWANSON FROM OCTOBER. THEY FOUND A BAG OF COCAINE Reporter: SWANSON u2019S ATTORNEY TOLD HIM NOT TO SAY ANYTHING TOLD HIM NOT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE CHARGES FROM LAST NIGHT OR THE OCTOBER DRUG ALLEGATION. F-21-19041, WHICH IS AN ARREST WARRANT FOR POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO SELL COCAINE, BATTERING A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. THIS IS FROM OCTOBER 25th OF 2021. Reporter: FRIDAY AFTERNOON POLICE TOLD US THE MIAMI-DADE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS AWARE OF AN INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED OVERNIGHT IN OUR SOUTH DISTRICT WHERE OFFICERS WERE INVOLVED IN A PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION WITH AN ARMED CONVICTED FELON. DURING THIS INCIDENT A TOTAL OF DURING THIS INCIDENT A TOTAL OF FOUR INDIVIDUALS WERE ARRESTED, AND THREE FIREARMS WERE SEIZED. AND THREE FIREARMS WERE SEIZED. IN OUR CONTINUED EFFORTS OF FULL TRANSPARENCY, WE IMMEDIATELY INITIATED AN INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER WITH OUR PROFESSIONAL COMPLIANCE BUREAU. THE OFFICERS INVOLVED HAVE BEEN REASSIGNED TO ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES. WE WILL CONTINUALLY EVALUATE THIS CASE. THIS CASE. AND AS THAT EVALUATION GOES FORWARD, THE INVESTIGATORS LOOKING INTO THIS CERTAINLY MAY LOOKING INTO THIS CERTAINLY MAY WANT TO SPEAK WITH MR. SWANSON, THE PERSON WHO TOOK THIS VIDEO. OTHER WITNESSES OUT THERE AND ALSO ALL OF THE OFFICERS WHO WERE INVOLVED, WE WILL OF COURSE TRY TO GET IMMEDIATE ANSWERS TO THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS. BUT NORMALLY THESE INVESTIGATIONS TAKE SOME TIME.”,”video_id”:”2016584259511_376″,”video_length”:”170938″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”r6PyUIH_k9VO”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”bJgfAieEtvN1″,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”en8_yLm_DwA1″,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2016584259511″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”MDPD Rough Arrest Caught on Camera in SW Miami-Dade” data-vidcid=”1:10:2722282″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/mdpd-rough-arrest-caught-on-camera-in-sw-miami-dade/2722282/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On”,”445300″:”News”,”248″:”Local” ” data-tagnames=” “2218”:”Miami-Dade”,”1443″:”Miami-Dade Police Department”,”471634″:”rough arrest” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” The ordeal happened outside of the United Beauty Supply store located on the border of Homestead and Cutler Bay. The owner, Mike Wadi, and his son Ramzi head the chaos and stepped out to see what was happening. They were beating the guy up, Mike Wadi told NBC 6. I’m telling them officers, you guys already got him, why are you guys hitting him? How they were hitting him they were ramming into the face and to the floor. Ramzi Wadi said that one of the officer’s body cameras fell off and was on the ground, so he picked it up and pointed it in the direction of the officers. That’s when, Ramzi said, the officers then charged him a moment that was also captured on the store’s surveillance video camera. I was terrified, Ramzi Wadi said. As soon as I tried to go back inside the store, the guy came and grabbed my hand, my arm, and started punching me, and I was defending myself. So, I basically pushed him back all of a sudden, his whole crew, all his teammates, came and attacked me. One came from behind me, two from the side started punching me, punching me. The Wadis also shared cellphone video a family member shot from that night, which shows Miami-Dade officers keeping Mike Wadi to the ground and another officer being aggressive and pointing a Taser at a third family member. Caught on Camera Mar 28 Video Shows Fort Lauderdale Hotel Brawl That Ended in Employee’s Arrest Fort Lauderdale 22 hours ago Man Wanted in 2020 Fort Lauderdale Bus Terminal Murder Arrested: Police Ramzi Wadi was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, and along with his dad, was taken to the county jail. The police report says Ramzi was interfering with officers and pushed one of them in the back. Both say they were treated unfairly. I never had a problem with the law enforcement. I never had a problem with them, Mike Wadi said. But the way he did was totally wrong. It was not called for. It don’t matter if you are a convicted felon or nothing, you’re still a human being. They shouldn’t be treating people like that. The police department said Monday it had nothing to aid to the statement it sent several days ago, saying, The Mami-Dade Police Department is aware of an incident that occurred overnight in our South District where our officers were involved in a physical confrontation with an armed convicted felon. During this incident a total of four individuals were arrested and three firearms were seized. In our continued efforts of full transparency, We immediately initiated an internal affairs investigation into the matter with our Professional Compliance Bureau. The officers involved have been reassigned to administrative duties. We will continually evaluate this case, as the internal affairs process continues. The men at the beauty supply shop say internal affairs officers arrived Monday to interview them. Miami-Dade Police said Monday that six officers have been placed on administrative duty as the internal affairs investigation continues. Correction This article has been updated. A previous version incorrectly stated that the Wadis’ cellphone footage of the incident shows a Miami-Dade officer pointing a Taser at Ramzi Wadi. The officer was actually pointing the Taser at Mike Wadi’s other son, not Ramzi. Stay informed about local news and weather. Get the NBC 6 South Florida app for iOS or Android and pick your alerts. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/business-owner-son-speak-out-after-miami-dade-cops-roughly-arrest-convicted-felon/2723915/)

Gunman Involved in Argument Before Opening Fire 21 Times on Broward Bus: Police

A man with a lengthy criminal record had been involved in an argument on a Broward County Transit bus before he pulled out a gun and started shooting, killing two men and wounding two other passengers, sources said Friday. The accused gunman, 34-year-old Jamal Meyers, was in the back of the bus when he started opening fire Thursday afternoon, the sources told NBC 6. Police said the bus driver heroically forced her way through traffic and pulled up outside the Fort Lauderdale Police Station Thursday afternoon, potentially stopping more people from being shot. MORE LOCAL NEWS Fort Lauderdale Mar 18 Broward Bus Driver Hailed as Hero After Gunman Opened Fire Broward County Mar 18 Man Claimed He Had Bomb in Luggage at Fort Lauderdale Airport: BSO The bus driver in this particular case, her quick actions I am sure saved lives, Acting Police Chief Luis Alvarez said during a news conference Thursday. So kudos to her. She deserves to be applauded for her actions. According to an arrest report, Meyers pulled the semi-automatic handgun from his front pocket and fired 12 rounds at the victims. He then reloaded the gun and fired another nine rounds, the report said. As the bus pulled up to the police station, an officer heard the gunshots and saw Meyers exiting the bus. The officer pointed his weapon at Meyers and ordered him to lay on the ground, and Meyers was taken into custody, the report said. The firearm was later found on the bus, the report said. THANK YOU. AND WE HAVE LIVE TEAM COVERAGE TONIGHT. AND STEVE LITZ LIVE IN FORT LAUDERDALE WITH THE LATEST FROM THE SCENE INCLUDING THE 911 CALLS. Reporter: YEAH. OBVIOUSLY A SPECTACLE WHEN YOU OBVIOUSLY A SPECTACLE WHEN YOU SEE A BIG BUS DRIVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. YOU COULD IMAGINE PEOPLE PICKED YOU COULD IMAGINE PEOPLE PICKED UP THE PHONE IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED 911. BUT THE CRIME SCENE WAS RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. YOU SHE THE MARKINGS JUST STEPS AWAY FROM THE FRONT DOOR. DETECTIVES USE THAT SPRAY PAINT FOR INVESTIGATIVE PURPOSES AT CRIME SCENES AND THIS ONE IS RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. A PUBLIC BUS DRIVING IN THE WRONG WAY. SO WE ALL, EVERYBODY HAS TO STOP AND LET HIM JUST GO. A BROWARD COUNTY TRANSIT BUS WAS JUST ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD. Reporter: THOSE WERE THE CALLS TO 911 AS A TRANSIT DRIVER CALLS TO 911 AS A TRANSIT DRIVER SWERVED INTO SWERVED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. PEOPLE IDENTIFY THE TWO PEOPLE WHO WERE KILLED BOTH WITH MUG WHO WERE KILLED BOTH WITH MUG SHOTS BECAUSE THEY HAD PREVIOUS RUN-INS IN THE LAW. DANNY COLON AND GREGORY DANNY COLON AND GREGORY CAMPBELL. IT HAPPENED ON BROWARD NEAR I-95 AND THIS IS THE INTERSECTION WHERE THE BUS DRIVER HAD TO SWITCH OVER INTO THE OPPOSITE LANES AND SHE HAD TO NAVIGATE HER BUS THROUGH ABOUT FOUR BLOCKS OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. YO SHE u2019S A HERO. YO SHE u2019S A HERO. DARNELL WAS IN THIS TAXI CAB WHEN THE BUS CAME BARRELING TOWARD THE CAR. HE WAS BACK AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TODAY FILING A REPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY FILING A REPORT WITH A VIVID MEMORY OF WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY. FIRST THING I SEEN, THE BUS COMING AT US. I THOUGHT IT WAS A TERRORIST A TACK OR SOMEBODY HIJACKED THE BUS. WE u2019RE DRIVING DOWN ONE WAY AND THEY u2019RE COMING AT US ANOTHER WAY. Reporter: POLICE SAY THE BUS HIT THE CAB AND A SECOND HIT THE CAB AND A SECOND VEHICLE, THEN TURNED INTO THE PARKING LOT OF THE FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE BUS TRANSIT SYSTEM IS RUNNED THE BUS TRANSIT SYSTEM IS RUNNED BY BROWARD COUNTY, WHICH RELEASED A STATEMENT READING IN PART, TODAY IS NATIONAL BUS OPERATOR APPRECIATION DAY. AND WILL HAVE A SPECIAL MEANING AFTER THE BUS OPERATOR NAVIGATED HER WAY THROUGH TRAFFIC DURING A VERY STRESSFUL EVENT. BROWARD COUNTY IMMEDIATELY DEPLOYED ITS EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE DEPLOYED ITS EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TEAM TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO THE BUS OPERATOR INVOLVED. TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THIS ORDEAL. TWO ARE STILL IN THE HOSPITAL. AND SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE TREATED RIGHT HERE ON THE SCENE. NO NEED FOR THOSE FOLKS TO GO TO”,”video_id”:”2014347331869_593″,”video_length”:”151585″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”CZRXPrQV9iN_”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”tdhbiV1pAxwa”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”ekAlBjz5_Vsm”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2014347331869″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Victims ID’d, 911 Calls Released in Broward Bus Shooting” data-vidcid=”1:10:2717254″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/victims-idd-911-calls-released-in-broward-bus-shooting/2717254/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On” ” data-tagnames=” “206”:”Broward County”,”59″:”Fort Lauderdale”,”641″:”shooting” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” The two men killed in the shooting were identified by police Friday as 32-year-old Gregory L. Campbell Jr., of Lauderdale Lakes, and 41-year-old Danny Colon, of Tamarac. Another bus rider was in critical condition, while a fourth was seriously injured, officials said. Three more people were treated at the scene for minor injuries caused when the bus hit their vehicles. In a news release Friday, police said they’re still investigating the motive behind the shooting. They’re also asking anyone who may have known of had contact with Meyers in the days leading up to the shooting to contact them. Through public records, NBC 6 found where Meyers had been living in Oakland Park and several neighbors recognized him from his mugshot. None of them indicated he had caused any problems. One resident said he saw Meyers Thursday afternoon heading out and said he was carrying a bag with him. Sometime after that, Meyers boarded the bus. Meyers faces charges of murder, attempted murder, weapons possession by a convicted felon and violating probation. He remained held without bond Friday, jail records showed. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement considers Meyers a serious habitual felon who has had numerous encounters with the legal system since 2003. Jamal Meyers His arrest record includes felony battery, false imprisonment, fraud, burglary, grand theft and drug possession, among others. According to court records, Meyers was sentenced in 2021 for 10 crimes committed between 2017 and 2019. Each conviction carried concurrent three-year sentences, so he ended up serving just five months in state prison after being given credit for more than 800 days awaiting trial. He was released on Jan. 8. Florida Department of Corrections records showed he served just under two years in prison from December 2009 to November 2011. He served another 20 months in prison from March 2015 to November 2016, records showed. Download our local news and weather app for iOS or Android and choose the alerts you want. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/gunman-involved-in-argument-before-broward-bus-shooting-that-killed-2-sources/2717089/)

Bodycam Shows Officers’ Response to Fort Lauderdale Hotel Brawl

Police released officer body camera video that shows a different perspective of a brawl at a Fort Lauderdale hotel between an employee and a guest. The incident happened back in January at the Best Western on Seabreeze Boulevard. Previously released surveillance footage from the hotel shows 28-year-old Raymond Rachal working at the desk in the lobby when a man walks up to him, pushing past a stanchion. TONIGHT POLICE ARE RELEASING TONIGHT POLICE ARE RELEASING BODY CAM VIDEO OF THE FIGHT BETWEEN AN EMPLOYEE AND A GUEST AT A FORT LAUDERDALE DALE BEACH HOTEL. THAT NEW ANGLE SHOWING US THE OFFICER u2019S PERSPECTIVE WHEN THEY ARRIVE ON THAT SCENE. NBC 6 u2019S ALISSA HYMAN LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM. THEY RELEASED THAT OFFICER BODY CAM VIDEO SHOWING A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE OF THAT BRAWL AT THE FORT LAUDERDALE DALE BEST WESTERN THAT HAPPENED BACK IN JANUARY. BACK UP. BACK UP. BACK UP. BACK UP. NOW, THEY ALSO RELEASED THE BODY CAMERA VIDEO FROM WHEN THE BODY CAMERA VIDEO FROM WHEN THE OFFICER SHOWED UP BEFORE THAT BRAWL EARLIER IN THE NIGHT. AN EMPLOYEE AND A GUEST AT THE AN EMPLOYEE AND A GUEST AT THE HOTEL ALREADY IN A DISPUTE. THE DESK CLERK ALREADY VISIBLY UPSET SAYING THE GUEST WAS MAKING COMMENTS ABOUT MLK DAY. POLICE ULTIMATELY ESCORTED THE GUEST OUT OF THE HOTEL TELLING HIM TO LEAVE. OFFICERS SAY THE GUEST HAD BEEN DRINKING. AS YOU JUST SAW FROM THAT OTHER AS YOU JUST SAW FROM THAT OTHER BODY CAMERA VIDEO LATER IN THE EVENING IT SHOWS THE OFFICER u2019S PERSPECTIVE WALKING UP TO THE EMPLOYEE ALREADY HOLDING DOWN THE GUEST. THE EMPLOYEE THEN BACKS UP AS THE POLICE WALK IN. HE u2019S SAYING DON u2019T LET THE GUEST LEAVE. BUT YOU SEE THE OFFICER FOCUSES HIS ATTENTION ON THE HOTEL EMPLOYEE AND BEGINS TO ARREST HIM EVEN THOUGH THE GUEST HAD HIM EVEN THOUGH THE GUEST HAD ALREADY BEEN TOLD TO LEAVE THE PREMISES AND THE HOTEL SURVEILLANCE VID SHOW SHOWS THE GUEST CHARGED BACK TOWARD THAT CLERK, THE HOTEL EMPLOYEE TRYING TO EXPLAIN HIS SIDE OF THE STORY IN THE POLICE CAR BEFORE HE WAS ARRESTED FOR RESISTING ARREST AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT. HE u2019S REPEATEDLY TELLING ME I HE u2019S REPEATEDLY TELLING ME I HAVE AN ATTITUDE. WELL, WHAT u2019S GOING ON. FIRST THING HE SAID WAS MLK DAY, FIRST THING HE SAID WAS MLK DAY, SO TELL ME HOW AM I BEING UNRULY IF THAT u2019S WHAT HE STARTING WITH? THE CHARGES AGAINST THE HOTEL THE CHARGES AGAINST THE HOTEL EMPLOYEE WERE ULTIMATELY DROPPED. WE DO KNOW THE GUEST WAS CITED FOR TRESPASSING. WE DID REACH OUT TO THE GUEST AS WE DID REACH OUT TO THE GUEST AS WELL AS THE GENTLEMAN WHO WORKS AT THE THOHOTEL. THEY SAID THEY PUT A REQUEST FOR THIS BODY CAMERA VIDEO BUT STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED IT, BUT THEY DO PLAN ON RESPONDING TO OUR REQUEST ONCE THEY u2019RE ABLE TO SEE THE THE”,”video_id”:”2018470979876_399″,”video_length”:”153587″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”KXFN_uBNdMbh”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”f6zrEINqh9_9″,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”vcKrgT10YduD”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2018470979876″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”New Video Shows Police Responding to Fight at Fort Lauderdale Hotel” data-vidcid=”1:10:2726355″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/multimedia/new-video-shows-police-responding-to-fight-at-fort-lauderdale-hotel/2726355/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “445300”:”News”,”248″:”Local”,”2186″:”Multimedia” ” data-tagnames=” “206”:”Broward County”,”19167″:”Caught on Camera”,”59″:”Fort Lauderdale” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Rachal eventually put the man in a headlock and held him for several minutes until police officers arrived. The video shows the officers immediately approach Rachal, pushing him before taking him into custody. Rachal was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting an officer with violence. The newly released bodycam showed officers responding before the brawl, when the employee and the guest were already in a dispute. Rachal had told officers that the guest was making comments about MLK Day. Another body camera video shows the officer’s perspective walking up to the employee already holding down the guest. The employee backs up as police walk in. He says to them to not let the guest leave, but the officer is seen focusing his attention on the hotel employee and begins to arrest him, even though the guest had already been told to leave the premises. Hotel surveillance video shows the guest come back and charge straight toward the desk clerk. WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH AN WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH AN ENCOUNTER AT A LOCAL HOTEL THAT WAS FAR FROM RELAXING. A FIGHT BREAKING OUT AN EMPLOYEE AND A GUEST AND IT WAS NOT JUST PUNCHES TOSSED AROUND BUT RACIAL SLURS. GOOD EVENING, I AM JAWAN STRADER. I AM TRINA ROBINSON. CRISTIAN BENAVIDES IS LIVE FOR US. Reporter: ALL THIS STARTED AFTER A WHITE HOTEL GUEST DIRECTED RACIAL SLURS TOWARDS A WHITE HOTEL CLERK. POLICE WERE CALLED BUT IT WAS THE CLERK ENDED UP UNDER ARREST. Reporter: THIS IS THE MOMENT RAMON WERE SHOT, HE CALLED PLILS FOR HELP AFTER BEING CHARGED BY A HOTEL GUEST WHO HAD BEEN TOLD TO LEAVE THE PREMISES. HE ASSAULTED ME. Reporter: WHEN FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE ARRIVED, IT LAUDERDALE POLICE ARRIVED, IT WAS RASHARD IS IN HANDCUFFS. WATCHES RAY CHARGES RASHARD, RASHARD FIGHTS BACK AND PUNCHING HIM SEVERAL TIMES AND PUTS RAID IN A HEAD LOCK. RAID WAS INJURED AND BLEEDING. RE ONCE OFFICERS ARRIVED, WATCH AS ONE F THEOF THE OFFICERS PUSHES ONE F THEOF THE OFFICERS PUSHES RASHARD SEVERAL TIMES. DO YOU WANT TO GET SPRAYED FOR WHAT? Reporter: DOCUMENTS OBTAINED Reporter: DOCUMENTS OBTAINED REVIEWED DESCRIBING SHAW ASEINGE STYLE. OOERCH THE VIDEO DOES NOT APPEAR TO SHOW RASHARD PUTTING HIS HANDS-ONHANDS HANDS ON THE OFFICER. Reporter: BEN CRUMP TWEETED Reporter: BEN CRUMP TWEETED THE ENTIRE INCIDENT INITIATED THE ENTIRE INCIDENT INITIATED AFTER RACIAL SLURS WAS DIRECTED. Reporter: SO OFFICERS CITED THAT WHITE HOTEL GUEST JASON RAB FOR TRESPASSING AND THEY GAVE HIM A RIDE TO A FRIEND u2019S HOUSE. RASHARD WAS TAKEN TO JAIL.”,”video_id”:”2017307203681_477″,”video_length”:”190658″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”QybvWIdZYOkd”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”B8F9H_8UlVxX”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”PwT__Chb7sA_”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2017307203681″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Hotel Brawl Ends in Employee’s Arrest” data-vidcid=”1:10:2724061″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/hotel-brawl-ends-in-employees-arrest/2724061/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On”,”445300″:”News”,”248″:”Local”,”55249″:”News You Should Know” ” data-tagnames=” “1639”:”Broward”,”59″:”Fort Lauderdale”,”2218″:”Miami-Dade”,”468802″:”News You Should Know” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” The employee then tries to explain his side of the story in the car before he was booked. Police ultimately escorted the guest, who they say had been drinking, out of the hotel. The charges against the hotel employee were ultimately dropped, and the guest was cited for trespassing. An attorney representing Rachal put in a request to see the new video. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/bodycam-shows-officers-response-to-fort-lauderdale-hotel-brawl/2726414/)

Police Identify Suspect in Deadly Shooting on Broward Transit Bus

Police have identified the man they believe is the shooter in a deadly Broward transit bus incident Friday. Police arrested Jamal J. Meyers, 34, after the incident and has been charged with two counts of first degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Jamal J. Meyers Two people were killed and two others hospitalized after the gunman opened fire on a Broward County Transit bus Thursday, causing a crash in front of the Fort Lauderdale Police station that injured three more people, officials said. The bus came to a stop in front of the police headquarters at 1300 West Broward Boulevard, where it crashed into two other cars, Fort Lauderdale Police said. The incidents did not involve police officers. Police said the driver of the bus heard several gunshots and made the split-second decision to pull in front of the police station. An officer outside of the station also heard the gunshots and went to the bus to investigate. The bus driver in this particular case, her quick actions I am sure saved lives, said interim police Chief Luis Alvarez. Kudos to her. She deserves to be applauded for her actions. HAPPENING IN FORT LAUDERDALE LAUDERDALE, SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SHOT INSIDE A BROWARD TRANSIT BUS. TRANSIT BUS. WE KNOW AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE ARE DEAD. CHOPPER 6 OVER THE SCENE OUTSIDE THE FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT. POLICE DEPARTMENT. LET u2019S GET RIGHT OUT TO THE SCENE. NBC 6 REPORTER KIM WYNNE IS LIVE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. KIM, THIS IS A CRAZY AFTERNOON KIM, THIS IS A CRAZY AFTERNOON OF EVENTS. Reporter: VERY CRAZY AFTERNOON. WHAT WE KNOW IS FOUR PEOPLE WERE WHAT WE KNOW IS FOUR PEOPLE WERE SHOT AFTER A MAN OPENED FIRE ON A BROWARD COUNTY TRANSIT BUS. TWO OF THE VICTIMS HAVE PASSED AWAY. YOU CAN SEE THE BUS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE POLICE STATION. THE DRIVER HEARD GUNSHOTS AND THE DRIVER HEARD GUNSHOTS AND MADE A SPLIT DECISION TO PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT OF THE FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT. LAUDERDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT. AS A RESULT, THEY HIT TWO OTHER CARS, INJURING ANOTHER THREE PEOPLE. POLICE SAY THE SUSPECT SURRENDERED AND IS NOW IN CUSTODY. YOU CAN SEE BROWARD BOULEVARD HAS BEEN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. HERE u2019S WHAT POLICE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE DRIVER u2019S QUICK ACTIONS. THE DRIVER OF THAT BUS HEARD THE DRIVER OF THAT BUS HEARD SEVERAL GUNSHOTS. SHE PULLED INTO THE FRONT OF THE POLICE STATION. WE HAD AN OFFICER ON AN UNRELATED CALL IN FRONT OF THE POLICE STATION. HE, TOO, HEARD SEVERAL GUNSHOTS COMING FROM WITHIN THE BUS. THE SUSPECT THAT WAS INSIDE STEPPED OUT AND SURRENDERED TO THE OFFICER. OTHER OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE SCENE. THEY WENT ONTO THE BUS WHERE THEY FOUND FOUR PEOPLE SHOT. THEY FOUND FOUR PEOPLE SHOT. TWO ARE DECEASED. THE OTHERS ARE BEING TREATED FOR THEIR INJURIES. OUR OFFICERS PERFORMED LIFE-SAVING MEASURES ON SCENE, BLOCKED THE ROADWAYS AND GOT EVERYONE TO THE HOSPITAL AS QUICKLY AS THEY COULD. A TPRARPL WAS RECOVERED ON SCENE. ALL WITNESSES ARE BEING QUESTIONED TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE DO NOT HAVE AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE DO NOT HAVE A MOTIVE. THE BUS DRIVER IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, HER QUICK PARTICULAR CASE, HER QUICK ACTIONS I AM SURE SAVED LIVES.”,”video_id”:”2013925955548_995″,”video_length”:”144111″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”VocX8jwUVOLM”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”f3O9ZZMTJJCa”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”Ge_uYeHKjgLP”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2013925955548″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”2 Killed in Shooting on Broward Transit Bus” data-vidcid=”1:10:2716323″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/multimedia/2-killed-in-shooting-on-broward-transit-bus/2716323/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “445300”:”News”,”248″:”Local”,”2186″:”Multimedia” ” data-tagnames=” “59”:”Fort Lauderdale” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” The suspected shooter then stepped out of the bus and surrendered, police said. Officers also recovered a firearm. Police found four people shot inside the bus. One person died at the scene, and another died at the hospital, police said. Two other victims remained hospitalized. As a result of the crash, three people were treated at the scene, police said. Only thing God told me to do was get out the cab and get going and figure it out, said Darnell Coles, who said he was in a cab that got hit by the bus. Police said after the shooter was taken into custody they believe there is no further threat to the public. Police say additional charges against Meyers are still pending and the motive is still being investigated. The area between the 1400 block and 1100 block of West Broward Boulevard was shut down. Drivers were encouraged to avoid the area. Fort Lauderdale Mar 17 Shooters Gunman Called Ex-Girlfriend After Shooting Server: Arrest Report NTSB Mar 17 NTSB: Child Was Driving Truck That Struck Van in Texas, Killing 9 Further details were not available. Check back with NBC 6 for updates. Download our local news and weather app for iOS or Android and choose the alerts you want. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/police-identify-suspect-in-deadly-shooting-on-broward-transit-bus/2716222/)

Ex-Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Denies Promoting Based on Anything But Qualifications

Days after he was fired, the former police chief for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department is strongly denying allegations that he promoted officers based on their race, gender and sexual orientation. Larry Scirotto spoke Monday in front of the Fort Lauderdale NAACP building following his firing last Thursday. He called the report that led to his termination completely biased and untruthful. My services were terminated on Thursday for what was alleged to be discriminatory practices in promotion, which is just flat out false, Scirotto said. Fort Lauderdale Mar 4 Fired Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Unfairly Focused on Minority Candidates: Report Fort Lauderdale Mar 3 Fort Lauderdale Fires Police Chief After Probe Into Employee Complaints Scirotto came in last August as the department was dealing with backlash from incidents during protests after George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis. He noted that due to the diversity and outreach he’s brought to the department since then, communities around Fort Lauderdale are getting better policing. We are better today than we were when I first started, and I am at peace with that, he said. When Scirotto took over, he made clear that the Fort Lauderdale Police Department should look like the communities it serves. But in the fall, things turned sour when Scirotto promoted a list of minority employees. Four officers three white and one Hispanic filed EEOC complaints alleging that the chief was promoting unfairly. Many believed that Chief Scirotto made clear his intention to promote, based on race, gender, or sexual orientation, attorney Gregg Rossman, who was hired by the city, wrote in the report. I made my decision based upon the findings in that report, and that’s what it concluded, City Manager Chris Lagerbloom said a day after Scirotto’s termination was announced. Scirotto denied those findings. Of the 15, nine of them were white males, and six of them either gender or ethnic minorities. In each of those promotions, it wasn’t based on any protected class or immutable trait, it was based on their qualifications, Scirotto said. Every one of those candidates that were promoted were extremely qualified. Those that were not selected were not nearly as qualified. The Fort Lauderdale NAACP president said Scirotto’s termination is a blow to the community. So, apparently, he did his job too well, but he didn’t hire folk because they were Black, because they were gay, straight, white, Marsha Ellison said. He hired the best people. And so now, because the best people, in this case, I guess too many of them were Black. I am so disappointed in the leadership that we are here because the city has damaged this man’s reputation. He’s taken from our community and all communities a person who wanted to do what was right. Scirotto called Rossman’s report an opinion piece. I call it an opinion piece because that’s exactly what it is, Scirotto said. I went through every candidate with him and outlined why they were promoted. He deduced that to six statements and five of them were false. Scirotto’s supporters question Rossman’s ability to do an impartial investigation as he was endorsed in his unsuccessful 2020 run for Broward State Attorney by the police union. We talked to several people to see who would be the best suited to do the investigation for us. With the advice of our city attorney, we landed on Mr. Rossman and I am satisfied he a complete work, Lagerbloom said. Due to the EEOC complaints and potential legal action by the former chief, Rossman and the city did not have comments regarding Scirotto’s statements Monday. The attorney for the four officers who filed the complaints said they’re glad the city took the allegations seriously. Scirotto said that when he took the job, the city manager gave him a heads up. The city manager warned me that the changes that I would need to make would meet great resistance and that is ever true today, he said. Read the report below: This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/ex-fort-lauderdale-police-chief-denies-promoting-based-on-anything-but-qualifications/2707899/)

Man Killed, Another Hospitalized in Shooting on Palmetto Expressway in Miami

One man was killed and another was critically injured after they were shot while riding in a car on the Palmetto Expressway in Miami-Dade Wednesday. The shooting happened near a ramp to Okeechobee Road from the northbound lanes of the expressway. Florida Highway Patrol officials said a red Nissan sedan was on the expressway when someone shot at it, hitting the driver and passenger. After the shooting the car collided into a concrete barrier wall, officials said. Footage showed the sedan at the scene with what appeared to be multiple bullet holes. I AM TRINA ROBINSON. I AM TRINA ROBINSON. NBC 6 u2019S REPORTER JAMIE GUIROLA WITH THE LATEST. Reporter: THE EXPRESSWAY WAS Reporter: THE EXPRESSWAY WAS SHUTDOWN FOR MILES. MOMENTS AGO POLICE CLEARED THE SCENE NEAR OKEECHOBEE ROAD WHERE SCENE NEAR OKEECHOBEE ROAD WHERE IT HAPPENED. FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE RIGHT AFTER POLICE GAVE US NEW INFORMATION ABOUT GAVE US NEW INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. Reporter: LAETTE INTO THE Reporter: LAETTE INTO THE EVENING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RELATIVES OF THE VICTIMS INVOLVED IN PALMETTO SHOOTING HAD TO SEE THE SCENES FOR THEMSELVES INCLUDING THE MOTHER OF THE 20-YEAR-OLD DRIVER WHO WAS AIR LIFTED TO TRAUMA AFTER BEING SHOT IN THE STOMACH. HE WAS TALKING AND HE WAS HE WAS TALKING AND HE WAS SHOOK UP. Reporter: THE FRIEND u2019S RELATIVE SAY IN HIS 20s AND THE PASSENGER DEAD ON SCENE AND HIS DODD BUY IS STILL IN THE CAR. WE DO NOT HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF INFORMATION, WE ARE ASKING INFORMATION, WE ARE ASKING ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY, ANYONE WHO WITNESS THE SHOOTING PLEASE CALL OUR CRIME STOPPER TIP LINE CALL OUR CRIME STOPPER TIP LINE WHERE YOU CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS. Reporter: THE SHOOTING RAMPAGE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 826. IT BROUGHT TRAFFIC TO A STANDSTILL JUST IN TIME FOR RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE WINDSHIELD AND HOOD OF THIS RED NISSAN PLASTERED WITH 24 RED NISSAN PLASTERED WITH 24 BULLET HOLES. DETECTIVES PLACED 37 MARKERS FOR CASINGS ON THE ROAD. CASINGS ON THE ROAD. DETECTIVES HAVE THE UNDAUNTING TASK RIGHT NOW BACKTRACKING THE CASINGS. Reporter: THE NISSAN WAS HEADED NORTH ON THE PALMETTO NEAR OKEECHOBEE ROAD. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND COLLIDED INTO THE BARRIER WALL. POLICE ARE STRUGGLING TO IDENTIFY THE SHOOTER OR SHOOTERS. DETECTIVES LOOKING AT EVERY BIT OF INFORMATION BASED ON THE SCENE. ANY INFORMATION WITNESSES CAN PROVIDE TO THEM AND SO AT THIS TIME WE ARE LOOKING AT EVERYING ANGLE TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS SHOOTING. Reporter: OKAY SO NOW THE MOTHER OF THE DRIVER WHO WAS SHOT IN THE STOMACH WHO u2019LL BE SHOT IN THE STOMACH WHO u2019LL BE OKAY SAYS SHE WAS ACTUALLY ON THE PHONE WITH HER SON MOMENTS BEFORE THE SHOOTING, HER SON SHE BEFORE THE SHOOTING, HER SON SHE SAYS CLAIMING THAT A JEEP WAS FOLLOWING THEM, THAT u2019S THE LAST SHE HEARD OF THAT. OF COURSE POLICE SAY THEY DON u2019T KNOW WHAT TYPE OF VEHICLE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR, JUST SOME SORT OF A DARK COLOR VEHICLE. ESPECIALLY AROUND THAT TIME IF”,”video_id”:”2013652547761_823″,”video_length”:”187021″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”kVt4kUjx6hMt”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”6xHe7_gj0byO”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”e1z1D049hfuW”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2013652547761″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Fatal Shooting Halts Traffic on Palmetto Expressway” data-vidcid=”1:10:2715617″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/fatal-shooting-halts-traffic-on-palmetto-expressway/2715617/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On”,”445300″:”News”,”248″:”Local”,”55249″:”News You Should Know” ” data-tagnames=” “1639”:”Broward”,”2218″:”Miami-Dade”,”1201″:”Miami-Dade County”,”468802″:”News You Should Know”,”6582″:”Palmetto Expressway”,”67″:”South Florida” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Hialeah Fire Rescue officials said one man, 20-year-old Timothy Starks, was a passenger in the car was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man, 20-year-old Dante’ Banks, was driving was shot in the abdomen and airlifted to a local hospital in stable condition. Banks’ mother of the driver said her son was doing OK. I’m just happy my son’s alive, she said. I feel bad that his friend is in that situation. MORE LOCAL NEWS Fort Lauderdale Mar 16 ‘He Was Special’: Family, Friends Mourn Shooters Employee Killed in Restaurant Shooting Wilton Manors Mar 16 Crying, Panic in 911 Calls From Wilton Manors Fentanyl Overdoses The incident had the northbound lanes of the expressway completely shut down in the area from Northwest 58th Street. No other information was immediately known. Download our local news and weather app for iOS or Android and choose the alerts you want. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/man-killed-another-hospitalized-in-shooting-on-palmetto-expressway-in-miami/2715153/)

Man Found Dead in Fort Lauderdale Was Killed on His Birthday

A man whose body was found in Fort Lauderdale Beach was killed on his birthday Thursday, and investigators are still looking for the shooter. Steven Campbell had just turned 33. His body was found lying face down just before midnight in the 800 block of Seabreeze Boulevard. ‘Ma, I see you later, love you,’ Parlet Campbell recalled the last words she heard from her son. For them to kill him the way they did, it was very cowardly of them, she said. Parlet Campbell said her son was excited to celebrate his birthday with family and had planned a big dinner for next week. He made the reservation for Tuesday at 7 and that was it, she said. TONIGHT POLICE IN FORT LAUDERDALE ARE INVESTIGATING A MURDER. IT HAPPENED RIGHT NEAR THE BEACH. AND POLICE SAY THE VICTIM WAS SHOT AND DIED ON THE SCENE. NBC 6 REPORTER HILARY LANE IS LIVE FROM FORT LAUDERDALE WITH THE LATEST ON THIS ONE. HILLARY? Reporter: THAT MAN WAS KILLED IN THE PARKING LOT BEHIND ME. AND THIS AREA IS REALLY POPULAR WITH TOURISTS. WITH TOURISTS. YOU HAVE THE BEACH AND OCEAN TO MY RIGHT. YOU HAVE RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS IN THIS AREA. SO PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE ON VACATION HAVE BEEN SHOCKED TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT u2019S HAPPENED HERE. IT u2019S VERY SHOCKING. LAST NIGHT I SAW THE POLICE OFFICERS HERE, I WAS HAVING DINNER WITH SOME FRIENDS. FOR THAT KIND OF CRIME TO HAPPEN FOR THAT KIND OF CRIME TO HAPPEN IN THIS AREA, I u2019VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE. I SAID TO MY HUSBAND, OH, MY GOSH, THAT WAS GUNSHOTS. GOSH, THAT WAS GUNSHOTS. IT WAS JUST LIKE A CLEAR SHOT. Reporter: THIS CELL PHONE VIDEO CAPTURING THE MOMENTS VIDEO CAPTURING THE MOMENTS AFTER POLICE SAY FORT LAUDERDALE RESIDENT STEVEN CAMPBELL WAS MURDERED. MURDERED. HE WAS CELEBRATING HIS 33rd HE WAS CELEBRATING HIS 33rd BIRTHDAY. MARK AND HIS WIFE ARE VISITING FORT LAUDERDALE ON VACATION AND SAW THE SHOOTING UNFOLD FROM THEIR WINDOW. THEY RECORDED THIS CELL PHONE VIDEO AS THEY CALLED 9-1-1. WE WENT TO THE WINDOW AND SAW THAT THERE WAS A GATHERING OF PEOPLE RIGHT IN THIS PARKING PEOPLE RIGHT IN THIS PARKING LOT, AND THEN A COUPLE CARS TOOK OFF, AND THEN THERE WAS A GUY LAYING ON THE GROUND. IT WAS HORRIBLE. IT WAS HORRIBLE. IT JUST WAS, LIKE, SURREAL, LIKE, IS THIS HAPPENING RIGHT IN FRONT OF US? Reporter: POLICE SAY WHEN Reporter: POLICE SAY WHEN THEY ARRIVED TO THE 800 BLOCK OF SEABREEZE BOULEVARD, THE MAN LYING ON THE GROUND HAD BULLET INJURIES AND WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD ON THE SCENE. IT u2019S TOO BAD. A LOSS OF LIFE IS A LOSS OF LIFE A LOSS OF LIFE IS A LOSS OF LIFE NO MATTER WHAT WAS GOING ON. AND IT u2019S TOO HARD TO TAKE. Reporter: AND POLICE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THE KILLER. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION, YOU u2019RE ASKED TO COME FORWARD.”,”video_id”:”2002305603816_518″,”video_length”:”129497.00000000001″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”0ri4O9XQbGJ7″,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”crejywSVMWX3″,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”KK_ZXoK6D_sp”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2002305603816″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Search for Suspect After Man Killed in Fort Lauderdale” data-vidcid=”1:10:2688183″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/search-for-suspect-after-man-killed-in-fort-lauderdale/2688183/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On” ” data-tagnames=” “59”:”Fort Lauderdale” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Caught on Camera Feb 11 Broward Deputy Fired After Video Showed Controversial Arrest: Sheriff Miami-Dade County Feb 11 3 Arrested in Young Mother’s Murder Outside of Naranja Apartment Complex Cellphone video captured the moments right after the gunshots rang out. The video also shows someone running from the scene and a car speeding off, leaving a black truck behind. They shouldn’t have taken his life like that and left him to die on the street like a dog, said Steven Campbell’s aunt, Veronica Mattis. You don’t do that to people. He’s a human being. Steven Campbell worked at a funeral home and had dreams of opening one of his own. Very gentle, very helpful, his mother said. Full of respect. Anyone with information is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. You are cowards and you took somebody that was very precious, his mother said. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/man-found-dead-in-fort-lauderdale-was-killed-on-his-birthday/2688323/)

Suspect Sought After Woman, Teen Girl Fatally Shot in North Lauderdale

Authorities are searching for a suspect involved in a shooting in North Lauderdale that left a woman and a teen girl dead Wednesday morning. Broward Sheriff’s Office officials said the shooting took place just after 9 a.m. near the 7900 block of Tam Oshanter Boulevard, with deputies and North Lauderdale Fire Rescue responding to the scene. When they arrived, they found a woman and teen girl shot to death. Investigators haven’t released their names or ages. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/reported-fatal-double-shooting-in-north-lauderdale-parking-lot-police/2735244/)

Shooters Gunman Called Ex-Girlfriend After Shooting Server: Arrest Report

A former employee of a popular Fort Lauderdale restaurant called his ex-girlfriend from the back of a police car after he shot and killed a server at the eatery, according to an arrest report. The report released Thursday gives new details about the moments before and after 35-year-old Jordan Siddiq was shot and killed while working at Shooters Waterfront Tuesday afternoon. According to the report, Siddiq had shown up for his shift around 3:45 p.m. when the suspect, 33-year-old Angel Candelaria, arrived at the restaurant a few minutes later and sat at the outside bar. Friends are mourning Jordan Siddiq, who was shot and killed at Shooters Waterfront in Fort Lauderdale. Surveillance video from the restaurant showed Candelaria confront Siddiq near the bar and the two having a conversation for several minutes before Candelaria suddenly pulled out a handgun and shot Siddiq once, the report said. Candelaria started to walk away but turned around and walked back and shot Siddiq a second time before walking out of the restaurant, the report said. Siddiq was rushed to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. Employees who knew both men said they witnessed the murder, and police began a search for Candelaria, the report said. Angel Candelaria Fort Lauderdale Police SWAT officers spotted Candelaria riding a bicycle about two hours later and he was taken into custody at a parking garage on E. Commercial Boulevard, the report said. Candelaria had a handgun on him at the time of his arrest, the report said. While Candelaria was in custody in the back of a police patrol car, he made a phone call on his Apple watch to another man, the report said. MORE ON THE SHOOTERS SHOOTING Fort Lauderdale Mar 16 ‘He Was Special’: Family, Friends Mourn Shooters Employee Killed in Restaurant Shooting Fort Lauderdale Mar 15 Shooters Restaurant Worker Shot and Killed by Ex-Employee: Fort Lauderdale Police I’m going to jail bro, Candelaria told the man, according to the report. I’m sittin in a cop car right now, I’m talking to you on my watch off of me, they forgot to take my watch off me. After that call, Candelaria called his ex-girlfriend on the watch, the report said. I love you to death, he told her, according to the report. Friends of Siddiq said they believe the shooting may have had something to do with the ex-girlfriend. Candelaria is facing a murder charge, and remains jailed without bond. The restaurant was closed Wednesday and remained closed Thursday morning, as a memorial for Siddiq grew outside with flowers, candles, photos and messages. He was a great person, he was a positive person, he was loved, co-worker Bobby Berson said. Download our local news and weather app for iOS or Android and choose the alerts you want. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/shooters-gunman-called-ex-girlfriend-after-shooting-server-arrest-report/2715945/)

Shooters Restaurant Worker Shot and Killed by Ex-Employee: Fort Lauderdale Police

A former employee of the popular Shooters Waterfront restaurant in Fort Lauderdale is facing a murder charge after police said he returned to the eatery Tuesday afternoon and shot and killed a current employee. The shooting happened around 4:15 p.m. in the patio area of the restaurant in the 3000 block of Northeast 32nd Avenue on the Intracoastal Waterway. Footage showed a large police presence outside the eatery, and officers were also seen canvassing the surrounding neighborhood, with an armored SWAT vehicle down the street from the restaurant. LIVE, NBC6 NUTZEWS AT 11:00 LIVE, NBC6 NUTZEWS AT 11:00 STARTS NOW. WE BEGIN WITH A STORY THAT WOULD MAKE ANY DINER u2019S STOMACH TURN. AN EMPLOYEE OF A POPULAR WATERFRONT RESTAURANT SHOT TO DEATH, AND POLICE SAY THAT THE GUNMAN IS A FORMER EMPLOYEE. GUNMAN IS A FORMER EMPLOYEE. NBC OF REPORTER AMY GUIROLA IS NBC OF REPORTER AMY GUIROLA IS LIVE WITH WHAT WE KNOW NOW. JAMIE. Reporter: THEY SHUT DOWN THE RESTAURANT AT 9:00 WITH A SIGN SAYING IT u2019S SHUT DOWN FOR THE EVENING. AND EARLIER A FRIEND SHOT AND KILLED RON FLOWERS. MY WIFE WORKS HERE. SHE u2019S BEEN HERE FOR EIGHT YEARS. SHE u2019S BEEN HERE FOR EIGHT YEARS. WE LIVED DOWN THE STREET AS WELL. Reporter: DOUG BIGELOW SAID Reporter: DOUG BIGELOW SAID THE STAFF WAS LIKE A SECOND FAMILY. WHEN HE HEARD THAT A SERVER WAS SHOT AND KILLED, HE WAS MOVED TO BRING FLOWERS TO THE SCENE. HE WAS A GOOD GUY. WHEN IT CAME ON THE NEWS, THAT u2019S HOW WE FOUND OUT. THE WHOLE ORDEAL IS REALLY BAD. Reporter: POLICE HAVE NOT Reporter: POLICE HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED THE VICTIM, BUT THEY DID I.D. HIS ALLEGED SHOOTER, DID I.D. HIS ALLEGED SHOOTER, 30-YEAR-OLD ANGEL CANDALARIS. THEY DESCRIBED THE CHAOS JUST AFTER 5:00 P.M. IT WAS CRAZY. PEOPLE JUST STARTED RUNNING FROM THE PATIO. THEY WERE ALL SITTING ON THE THEY WERE ALL SITTING ON THE PATIO AND IT WAS LIKE A MONSOON BUT EVEN FASTER. THE WHOLE PLACE LITERALLY EMPTIED OUT IN 30 SECONDS. EMPTIED OUT IN 30 SECONDS. AFTERWARDS, WHEN I WENT UP ABOVE, A SAW A CHEST BEING PUMPED. I JUST KNEW SOMEONE WAS SHOT ON THE FLOOR. THE VICTIM IS AN EX-EMPLOYEE. SPECULATION IS SPREADING. SPECULATION IS SPREADING. IT WAS ALL OVER THE LITTLE GIRL. RIGHT NOW I FEEL LIKE 10 RIGHT NOW I FEEL LIKE 10 MILLIONIE EMOTIONS AT ONCE AND IT u2019S JUST BEEN A LONG DAY, HONESTLY. Reporter: THE SUSPECT OBVIOUSLY TOOK OFF AFTER THE SHOOTING. POLICE PICKED HIM UP AN HOUR”,”video_id”:”2013232195978_841″,”video_length”:”133901″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”Fp1dmluX1iH7″,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”Utp_pULr_Qc4″,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”yXnJ10G4QekD”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2013232195978″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Ex-Employee Fatally Shoots Restaurant Worker” data-vidcid=”1:10:2714527″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/ex-employee-fatally-shoots-restaurant-worker/2714527/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On”,”445300″:”News”,”248″:”Local”,”55249″:”News You Should Know” ” data-tagnames=” “1639”:”Broward”,”206″:”Broward County”,”59″:”Fort Lauderdale”,”2218″:”Miami-Dade”,”468802″:”News You Should Know” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials said one man was taken to a local hospital from the scene. Police later confirmed that the victim died from his injuries. His identity wasn’t released. One witness said he was having lunch at the restaurant when he heard gunfire near the patio area. All the sudden, people just started running from the patio, Jay Rathman said. The whole place literally emptied out in 30 seconds. Rathman said he’s a frequent customer and a close friend of one of the servers, who told him a former employee showed up at the restaurant and shot a server. Police confirmed there was an altercation between an employee and a former employee, and that the victim was starting his shift when the shooting happened. The suspect fled the scene but was taken into custody around 6 p.m., and a gun was recovered, officials said. Police later identified him as Angel Candelaria, 33, and said he’ll be charged with first-degree murder. Angel Candelaria It’s a very dangerous situation, dangerous for the people at the restaurant but luckily in this situation we were able to swiftly take him into custody and there is no longer any threat to the community, Fort Lauderdale Police Det. Ali Adamson said. Candelaria was booked into jail, where he remained held without bond Wednesday, records showed. Attorney information wasn’t available. Check back with NBC 6 for updates. Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/shooters-waterfront-shooting-fort-lauderdale/2714322/)

Video Shows Fort Lauderdale Hotel Brawl That Ended in Employee’s Arrest

An attorney says a Fort Lauderdale hotel employee who was arrested after video showed him brawling with a guest was just trying to defend himself. The incident happened back in January at the Best Western on Seabreeze Boulevard. Activist and attorney Benjamin Crump over the weekend tweeted surveillance footage from the hotel that shows 28-year-old Raymond Rachal working at the desk in the lobby when a man walks up to him, pushing past a stanchion. A HOTEL BRAWL IN FORT LAUDERDALE IS CAUGHT ON SURVEILLANCE VIDEO. A GUEST AND AN EMPLOYEE SEEN THROWING PUNCHES IN THE LOBBY. TONIGHT THAT EMPLOYEE WHO WAS ARRESTED IS FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THE CHARGES AND SAYS HE AGAINST THE CHARGES AND SAYS HE WAS JUST DEFENDING HIMSELF. NBC 6 REPORTER CRISTIAN BENAVIDES IS LIVE FROM FORT LAUDERDALE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT LAUDERDALE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED. Reporter: RIGHT. WELL, ALL OF THIS WENT DOWN BACK IN JANUARY. AND ACCORDING TO CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY BEN CRUMP, IT STEMS FROM A HOTEL GUEST DIRECTING RACIAL SLURS AT A HOTEL CLERK, AND ALL OF IT WAS CAUGHT ON VIDEO. Reporter: THE VIDEO SHOWS A FIGHT BETWEEN A HOTEL CLERK AND A HOTEL GUEST. IT HAPPENED BACK IN JANUARY AT IT HAPPENED BACK IN JANUARY AT THIS BEST WESTERN ON A-1A IN FORT LAUDERDALE. THE GUEST APPROACHES THE CLERK, AND THAT u2019S WHEN A PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION BREAKS OUT. AT ONE POINT THE CLERK, WHO u2019S BEEN IDENTIFIED AS RAYMOND RACHAL, PUTS THE HOTEL GUEST IN A HEADLOCK. A BYSTANDER TRIES TO BREAK UP A BYSTANDER TRIES TO BREAK UP THE FIGHT BUT TO NO AVAIL. NOW TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN POLICE ARRIVE ON SCENE. YOU SEE RACHAL HOLDING DOWN THE YOU SEE RACHAL HOLDING DOWN THE HOTEL GUEST, AND THERE u2019S A CONFRONTATION BETWEEN RACHAL AND ONE OF THE RESPONDING OFFICERS. THAT OFFICER BEGINS TO PUSH RACHAL AND THEN ALONG WITH A SECOND OFFICER THEY BEGIN TO PLACE HIM IN HANDCUFFS. THE OFFICER WROTE IN A PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT, I ORDERED THE DEFENDANT TO GET OFF THE MALE AND TO BACK UP. AND TO BACK UP. THE DEFENDANT FAILED TO COMPLY WITH MY ORDER. THAT DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS NOT SITTING WELL WITH SOME, SITTING WELL WITH SOME, INCLUDING CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY BEN CRUMP, WHO TWEETED, HOTEL EMPLOYEE RAYMOND RACHAL TRIED TO EXERCISE HIS RIGHT TO CANCEL A WHITE HOTEL GUEST u2019S STAY FOR SPEWING RACIAL SLURS AT HIM. BUT FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE OFFICERS ALLOWED THE MAN TO STAY, AND RACHAL WAS ATTACKED, STAY, AND RACHAL WAS ATTACKED, ARRESTED AND CHARGED FOR DEFENDING HIMSELF. EARLIER TODAY NBC 6 SPOKE TO THE MANAGER OF THE HOTEL. THEY SAID THEY HAD NO COMMENT. ALL CHARGES AGAINST RACHAL WERE EVENTUALLY DROPPED. AND THE FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT THEY u2019RE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT THEY u2019RE CONDUCTING AN INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION.”,”video_id”:”2017231427580_276″,”video_length”:”132366″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”i53TaQH4MIuP”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”AdrmReI0s82e”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”My9SPqL57eg3″,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2017231427580″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Fight Between Hotel Worker, Guest Caught on Camera” data-vidcid=”1:10:2723938″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/fight-between-hotel-worker-guest-caught-on-camera/2723938/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On”,”445300″:”News”,”248″:”Local” ” data-tagnames=” “206”:”Broward County”,”19167″:”Caught on Camera”,”59″:”Fort Lauderdale” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” The two immediately start to scuffle as punches are thrown and they fall to the ground. Rachal eventually put the man in a headlock and held him for several minutes until police officers arrived. The video shows the officers immediately approach Rachal, pushing him before taking him into custody. Rachal was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting an officer with violence. In an arrest report, the officer who responded wrote that he found Rachal on top of the other man who was in a headlock and had a large pool of blood beneath him and on his face. The officer wrote that he ordered Rachal to get off the man and back up, but when Rachal wouldn’t comply, the officer pushed him back and away from the other man. I ordered the defendant several times to back up, which he failed to do, and pushed him back several more times as well, the officer wrote in the report. The defendant then with his arms pushed me back. I then attempted to place the defendants’ arms behind his back, when he tensed up his arms and upper body and was holding his arms in front of him, resisting officers’ efforts to handcuff him. Rachal was eventually placed in handcuffs and booked into jail. In his tweet, Crump said Rachal tried to exercise his RIGHT to cancel a white hotel guest’s stay for spewing racial slurs at him, but Ft. Lauderdale PD officers allowed the man to STAY & Rachal was attacked, arrested & charged for defending himself. It was unclear whether Crump is Rachal’s attorney or how Crump obtained the video. Fort Lauderdale Police officials released a statement Monday that said their Office of Internal Affairs is reviewing the incident. The manager of the hotel said they had no comment. Rachal no longer works there. Stay informed about local news and weather. Get the NBC 6 South Florida app for iOS or Android and pick your alerts. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/video-shows-fort-lauderdale-hotel-brawl-that-ended-in-employees-arrest/2723734/)

Fentanyl Found at Broward Home After 4 Men Hospitalized: Officials

Detectives found traces of fentanyl at a home in Broward County after four men were hospitalized Sunday night due to having difficulty breathing, officials said. Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue crews responded after 6 p.m. to the home in the 1600 block of SW 40th Terrace, near the intersection of Davie Boulevard and U.S. 441 in unincorporated Broward County. Officials said two of the men were not breathing at the scene and were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Two other men were also hospitalized after having shortness of breath. JAIME, THANK YOU. LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER A GROUP OF SPRING BREAKERS OVERDOSED ON COCAINE LACED WITH FENTANYL IT u2019S COCAINE LACED WITH FENTANYL IT u2019S HAPPENED AGAIN. FOUR MEN FOUND UNDERSTANDRESPONS THAT SAME POWERFUL DRUG. IS THE DRUG BECOMING A BIG PROP LOCALLY. LAURA RODRIGUEZ IS LIVE IN FORT LAURA RODRIGUEZ IS LIVE IN FORT LAUDERDALE WITH THE DETAILS ON THAT. Reporter: THESE FENTANYL OVERDOSES HAVE REALLY BEEN ON OVERDOSES HAVE REALLY BEEN ON THE RISE DURING THE PANDEMIC AND AFTER THE PANDEMIC, AND THIS MOST RECENT CASE WE KNOW OF, MOST RECENT CASE WE KNOW OF, FOUR PEOPLE WERE HOSPITALIZED, BUT THREE OF THOSE HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISCHARGED. FENTANYL HAS REALLY MADE ITS WAY INTO SO MUCH OF THE DRUG SUPPLY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND AROUND THE COUNTRY. Reporter: FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A WEEK, INVESTIGATORS SAY FENTANYL IS TO BLAME FOR THE HOSPITALIZATION OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN BROWARD COUNTY. PEOPLE IN BROWARD COUNTY. SUNDAY NIGHT, BROWARD SHERIFF FIRE RESCUE WENT TO THE 1600 BLOCK OF SOUTHWEST 40th TERRACE IN FORT LAUDERDALE TO CHECK ON THE MEN WHO WERE HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING. DEPUTIES SAY THEY FOUND DRUG RESIDUE ON SCENE. ONCE TESTED, THEY FOUND IT WAS FENTANYL. A COUNTERFEIT PILLS THEY MAKE WITH FEINT POLL AND BAKING SODA, THEY PRESS THEM TO LOOK JUST THEY PRESS THEM TO LOOK JUST LIKE AN OXY 30, JUST LIKE AN ADDERALL. IF YOU DIDN u2019T TAKE IT OUT OF YOUR PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE, YOU DON u2019T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TAKING. Reporter: FOUR WEST POINT CADETS HOSPITALIZED. POLICE SAY THEY OVERDOSED ON POLICE SAY THEY OVERDOSED ON FENTANYL LACED COCAINE DURING SPRING BREAK. IF YOU AREN u2019T SOMEONE WHO REGULARLY TAKES AN OPOID, IF YOU DON u2019T TAKE HEROIN, IF YOU HAVEN u2019T BEEN ADDICTED FOR A LONG TIME AND YOU GET EVEN A MICROSCOPIC AMOUNT OF FENTANYL IN YOUR COCAINE, IT u2019S GOING TO IN YOUR COCAINE, IT u2019S GOING TO CAUSE YOU TO OVERDOSE. Reporter: ABOUT 2,300 FLORIDA OVERDOSES INVOLVED FENTANYL IN 2018. 3,300 IN 2019 AND 5,300 IN 2020. A 125 INCREASE OVER 3 YEARS. BROWARD LEADS THE STATE IN OVERDOSES. Reporter: BROWARD HAS ALSO Reporter: BROWARD HAS ALSO BEEN THE EPICENTER OF THE EPIDEMIC. I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF AVAILABILITY OF THESE SUBSTANCES? POLICE ARRESTED A MAN WHO THEY POLICE ARRESTED A MAN WHO THEY SAY ADMITTED TO BEING IN THE CAR WHEN THOSE COLLEGE STUDENTS PURCHASED THE DRUGS. PURCHASED THE DRUGS. HE HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED, THOUGH, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OVERDOSES. THAT WILL TON MANNERS CASE AND THE CASE OUT OF FORT LAUDERDALE YESTERDAY REMAIN UNDER INVESTIGATION.”,”video_id”:”2012835907910_677″,”video_length”:”171338″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”mrw7AzI1Pwt6″,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”gh6QlliWRNkT”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”FRpQulHwHzrb”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2012835907910″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Another Group Overdoses on Fentanyl in Broward” data-vidcid=”1:10:2713600″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/another-group-overdoses-on-fentanyl-in-broward/2713600/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On”,”445300″:”News”,”248″:”Local” ” data-tagnames=” “1639”:”Broward”,”206″:”Broward County”,”1949″:”Broward Sheriffs Office”,”645708″:”Fentanyl Overdose”,”59″:”Fort Lauderdale” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Officials said three of the men have been released from the hospital. One remains hospitalized, and his condition was unknown. The men were ages 39, 30, 28 and 26, officials said, and they did not release their identities. Detectives found drug residue at the scene, which was later tested and determined to be fentanyl, officials said. An Army football player and West Point cadets on spring break were hospitalized Thursday after overdosing on fentanyl at a vacation rental in Wilton Manors. Axel Giovany Casseus, 21, was arrested in connection with the case and faces a cocaine trafficking charge. Fentanyl is a dangerous and potentially deadly synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times stronger than morphine. It’s often added to other street drugs and made into pills that closely resemble prescription opioids. Fentanyl is so potent that it can cause medical problems simply by coming into contact with a person’s skin, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a warning about the dangers of the drug. If you aren’t someone who regularly takes an opioid, if you don’t take heroin and haven’t been addicted for a long time and you get even a microscopic amount of fentanyl in your cocaine, it’s going to cause you to overdose, said Kendall Cortelyou of Project Opioid. About 2,300 Florida overdoses involved fentanyl in 2018; 3,300 in 2019; and then 5,300 in 2020 a 125 increase over three years. Broward also leads the state in COVID overdoses. Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/fentanyl-found-broadview-park-broward-county/2712753/)

Safety a Priority as South Florida Expecting Large Spring Break Crowds

Fort Lauderdale officials are making safety a priority as they’re expecting a large influx of spring breakers in the coming weeks. Police and fire rescue officials held a news conference Friday to outline what spring breakers can expect when they arrive in Fort Lauderdale, where crowds are expected to reach levels not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic. We absolutely expect at least double if not triple what we saw last year as far as attendance, Fort Lauderdale Police Maj. Bill Schultz said. 2022 SPRING BREAK, LET u2019S 2022 SPRING BREAK, LET u2019S HAVE A GREAT TIME. FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH, I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT LIKE THIS. IT IS ALMOST GETTING LIT LIKE SOUTH BEACH MIAMI. SPRING BREAK IS BACK AND FULL SPRING. TOURISTS TAKING OVER FLORIDA THIS WEEKEND. CROWDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE BIGGER THIS YEAR. THIS YEAR. GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I AM JADEWAN STRADER. STRADER. NBC 6 u2019S REPORTER IS LIVE AT THE NBC 6 u2019S REPORTER IS LIVE AT THE BEACH TONIGHT, JULIE LEONARDI, HOW IS IT LOOKING OUT THERE. Reporter: IT IS NOT THAT BAD, A LOT OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND A LOT OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND AND THE NORGEENERGY IS GREAT. A LOT OF FOLKS WILL BE COMING DOWN WHETHER IT IS COLLEGE STUDENTS AND MORE. WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL BE OUT IN FULL FORCE AS WELL. FULL FORCE AS WELL. WE TRY TO COME OUT HERE. DRINK, HAVE A GOOD TIME AND BE BY THE BAR, BRO. THAT u2019S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO THAT u2019S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO AND WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT. Reporter: IF YOU COULD NOT GUESS, THIS WEEKEND MARKS GUESS, THIS WEEKEND MARKS HISTORIC SPRING BREAK, KICKING OFF A MASSIVE SURGE OF VISITORS FLOCKING TO SOUTH FLORIDA TO ENJOY THE SUN, OCEAN AND NIGHT LIFE. WE EXPECT OR IF NOT TRIPLE THAN WHAT WE SAW LAST YEAR. Reporter: IN FORT LAUDERDALE Reporter: IN FORT LAUDERDALE THEY ARE READY FOR THE INFLUX. WE EXPECT THOUSANDS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TENS OF THOUSANDS TALKING ABOUT TENS OF THOUSANDS THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. Reporter: POLICE ARE BEEFING UP PATROL AND ADDING THESE WARNING SIGNS FOR UNDER AGE VISITORS WHO MAY BE ATTEMPTED TO BREAK THE LAW, THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES. IT IS ALMOST LIKE GETTING JUST AS LIT AS SOUTH BEACH MIAMI. Reporter: FURTHER SOUTH THEY ARE GEARING UP, TOO. THE MEMORY OF LAST YEAR STILL THE MEMORY OF LAST YEAR STILL FRESH WHEN TOURISTS BECAME VIOLENT ON OCEAN DRIVE. POLICING IS ON HIGH ALERT, WE ARE GETTING EXTRA COPS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTY. WE WERE WONDERING WHY THERE WERE SO MANY POLICE CARS HERE SO NOW IT MAKE SENSE. NOW IT MAKE SENSE. THEY u2019RE LIKE GETTING READY, RIGHT? Reporter: A JUDGE THIS WEEK Reporter: A JUDGE THIS WEEK CLOSED THE PARTY DOWN EARLY FOR TWO WEEKS IN MARCH.. BUSINESSES STAY OPEN LATE CAN DO SO. WE ARRIVED TODAY FROM TEXAS. IT IS REALLY FUN, I WILL SAY THAT. Reporter: POLICE IN MIAMI BEACH WILL BE OUT IN FULL FORCE, LAST YEAR THE CITY SHUTDOWN LAST YEAR THE CITY SHUTDOWN CAUSE WAYS TO CUT DOWN ON THE CHAOS. THE CITY SAYS THEY PLAN ON THE CITY SAYS THEY PLAN ON FILING AN APPEAL AGAINST THAT JUDGE u2019S ORDER. MEANTIME THOUGH HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE RIGHT HERE IN SOUTH BEACH AS WELL AS UP NORTH.”,”video_id”:”2009745475535_794″,”video_length”:”178612″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”mlWuO_wjGn1_”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”yCKvZ8GVkv7c”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”WFhPbc1_nBQx”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2009745475535″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”South Florida Braces for Spring Break” data-vidcid=”1:10:2706358″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/south-florida-braces-for-spring-break/2706358/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On” ” data-tagnames=” “46148”:”spring break” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Schultz said some spring breakers have already arrived but a surge was expected to start this weekend and last the next few weeks. When spring breakers check into area hotels, they’ll be receiving a letter from police and the city manager welcoming them and reminding them of the rules and regulations. Among the rules being enforced are no tents, coolers, or other structures on the sand, no amplified or live music, no drinking on the sand or sidewalks, and no underage drinking. That will be absolutely and strictly enforced, Schultz said, adding that to enforce the rules there will be an increased police presence. Fort Lauderdale will also be relying on its Bar Watch program to keep spring breakers safe. The program trains employees of bars and other businesses to look out for people in distress and to stop potential sexual assault. A new program will also see volunteers set up at tents at the beach and downtown to assist people who are inebriated, have medical issues, lost their friends, are not familiar with the area, or even have a dead cellphone battery. Schultz said traffic backups are expected and encouraged people to use water taxis and rideshares to get around. Two designated rideshare pickup/drop-off areas will be set up at Cortez Street near the beach and the 200 block of Southwest 4th Avenue in the downtown entertainment district. Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/safety-a-priority-as-south-florida-expecting-large-spring-break-crowds/2706070/)

Suspect in Fort Lauderdale Armed Kidnapping Drowns While Fleeing Cops: Police

A suspect in a violent armed kidnapping in Fort Lauderdale drowned Wednesday after jumping into a lake in Tamarac while trying to flee from authorities, officials said. Fort Lauderdale Police officials said the suspect, whose name wasn’t released, had been involved in a Feb. 13 armed kidnapping in the 2000 block of Northwest 14th Avenue. The two victims in the case, both juveniles, had been forced into two vehicles at gunpoint before they were beaten and robbed by a group of suspects, police said. LIVE, NBC 6 NEWS AT 6:00 STARTS NOW. A SEARCH OPERATION TURNS DEADLY WHEN A WANTED SUSPECT DEADLY WHEN A WANTED SUSPECT JUMPS INTO A LAKE AND DROWNS. INVESTIGATORS SAY THAT HE WAS A FUGITIVE INVOLVED IN AN ARMED KIDNAPPING. GOOD EVENING, I u2019M JAWAN STRADER. AND I u2019M ROXANNE VARGAS. AND I u2019M ROXANNE VARGAS. WE WANT TO GET TO NBC 6 ANCHOR CARLOS SUAREZ WHO IS IN TAMARAC. CARLOS SUAREZ WHO IS IN TAMARAC. Reporter: THE U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE AS WELL AS BSO AND FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE, THEY SPENT A GOOD PART OF THE AFTERNOON OUT HERE TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM HERE TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT HAPPENED OUT HERE. WE u2019RE TOLD THAT THIS INVOLVED SOMEONE WHO WAS WANTED IN CONNECTION TO A KIDNAPPING CASE INVOLVING TWO MINORS OUT OF THE CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE. NOW, CHOPPER 6 WAS OVER THE SCENE EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON AS ALL OF THIS PLAYED OUT. WE u2019RE TOLD, THOUGH, THAT NEIGHBORS SAY THAT THE GUY WAS PART OF A LANDSCAPING CREW THAT PART OF A LANDSCAPING CREW THAT WAS DOING SOME WORK AT A GATED COMMUNITY OFF McNAB ROAD JUST EAST OF THE SAWGRASS EXPRESSWAY. NOW, THE FOLKS THAT WE TALKED TO OUT HERE SAID THAT THE GUY MADE A RUN FOR IT AND LATER JUMP NEIGHBORHOOD A LAKE. NOW, APPARENTLY HE MADE IT HALFWAY ACROSS AND THAT u2019S WHEN HE WENT UNDER. OFFICERS WERE ABLE TO GET HIM OUT A FEW MINUTES LATER, BUT IT OUT A FEW MINUTES LATER, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. HE DIED AT A HOSPITAL. A PROPERTY MANAGER SAW THE ENTIRE THING UNFOLD FROM A ENTIRE THING UNFOLD FROM A BUILDING ACROSS THE LAKE. I JUST SAW COMMOTION OF FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE VEHICLES. APPARENTLY THEY WERE LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY. NEXT THING YOU KNOW, I JUST WENT AHEAD AND SAW THEM, LIKE, GOING BACK UP A BUILDING. BACK UP A BUILDING. NEXT THING I SAW FROM A VIEW FROM ONE OF THE BUILDINGS, APPARENTLY LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY, APPARENTLY LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY, RESCUED SOMEBODY. BUT THAT u2019S AS MUCH AS I KNOW. Reporter: AND, SO, AT THIS LATE HOUR, POLICE HAVE NOT RELEASED THE NAME OF THE MAN WHO DIED OUT HERE, AND THEY HAVEN u2019T SAID WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARRESTED ANYONE ELSE INVOLVED IN THAT KIDNAPPING CASE. NOW, WE DID CALL THE LANDSCAPING COMPANY THAT WAS AT THE SITE OUT HERE WHEN ALL OF THIS HAPPENED. HERE WHEN ALL OF THIS HAPPENED. I SPOKE TO SOMEONE BY PHONE, HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO RELEASE THE THEY DID NOT WANT TO RELEASE THE NAME OF THE EMPLOYEE WHO DIED”,”video_id”:”2006113347933_645″,”video_length”:”122356″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”zLmIVJM6RNUj”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”5ZeHkCePWX80″,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”u_l2dcG0_f35″,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2006113347933″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Kidnapping Suspect Dies During Search Operation” data-vidcid=”1:10:2698192″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/kidnapping-suspect-dies-during-search-operation/2698192/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On”,”445300″:”News”,”248″:”Local” ” data-tagnames=” “206”:”Broward County”,”39206″:”drowning”,”59″:”Fort Lauderdale”,”19453″:”Tamarac” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Both victims were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. Fort Lauderdale Police worked with the US Marshals Task Force to identify a suspect and tracked him to a condominium complex on West Clairmont Circle in Tamarac Wednesday. Authorities believe the suspect realized he was being followed and started to flee before jumping into a lake in the complex. Officials said officers tried to follow him but the conditions weren’t safe, so they called in a dive team. The man was found a short time later and pulled from the lake, and authorities gave him life-saving measures at the scene, officials said. The man was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. The incident remains under investigation. Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/suspect-in-fort-lauderdale-armed-kidnapping-drowns-while-fleeing-cops-police/2698076/)

Swimmer Dies Days After Fort Lauderdale Rip Current Rescue Caught on Camera

One of three swimmers rescued from a strong rip current off Fort Lauderdale last week has died, as newly released body camera video shows the dramatic efforts to save them. Fort Lauderdale Police, Fire Rescue and the Broward Sheriff’s Office pulled the swimmers from the water around 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 and rushed them to the hospital, but it was learned that one of them died on Friday. New videos released Monday shows the efforts to rescue the swimmers. One of the videos is from Fort Lauderdale Police Det. John Rose, who was manning the police boat when he got a call that three people were drowning off the coast. The fear in their eyes was unbelievable when I saw them, Rose said Monday. Both of them kept going under, they would grab a breath and then they would go under because they were trying to hold their friend above water. LIVE, NBC 6 NEWS AT 5:30 STARTS NOW. THE DANGERS OF RIP CURRENTS, THREE MEN WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER NEARLY DROWNING. OFFICIALS SAY LIFE GUARDS HAD ALREADY LEFT FOR THE DAY, AND THE INCIDENT HAPPENED YESTERDAY EVENING RIGHT NEAR THE BEACH PARK. NBC 6 u2019S NICOLE LAUREN IS IN FORT LAUDERDALE WITH THE DETAILS. Reporter: WELL, BOTH ARE STILL IN THE HOSPITAL, ONE IS IN THE ICU, FORT LAUDERDALE OCEAN THE ICU, FORT LAUDERDALE OCEAN RESCUE SAYS THE 21-YEAR-OLD WENT INTO CARDIAC ARREST OUT IN THE WATER. THEY TELL ME IT HAPPENED AROUND 6:15 LAST NIGHT WHEN NO LIFE GUARD WAS ON DUTY. THREE PEOPLE RESCUED AFTER A RIP CURRENT PULLED THEM OUT ABOUT 200 YARDS INTO THE WATER. LIFE GUARDS JUST PACKED UP FOR THE NIGHT SO THIS STAND WAS EMPTY. SHANNON GOT THE CALL AT 6:15 AND WAS DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE. WAS DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE. IT u2019S SCARY, PEOPLE DON u2019T KNOW WHAT A RIP CURRENT IS. Reporter: SHE SAYS ONE OF THE GUYS WENT INTO CARDIAC ARREST, THE OTHER TWO CONSUMED A LOT OF WATER. WE WENT STRAIGHT IN THE WATER AND I GOT TO THE BOAT, AND THERE WERE THREE VICTIMS. WE HAD A BSO POLICE OFFICER ALREADY DOING CPR. WE HELPED ASSIST, GOT THE THREE VICTIMS ON THE BOAT AND GOT THEM TO SHORE. Reporter: SNELL SAYS THIS AREA OF THE BEACH IS KNOWN FOR ITS ROUGH CURRENT. JUST THE WAY THE REEF IS, IT u2019S A FIXED RIP WE u2019VE HAD FOR YEARS. Reporter: YESTERDAY IN THE MORNING THE FLAG WAS GREEN, BUT LATER IN THE AFTERNOON IT WAS YELLOW. RED FOR SURE DON u2019T GO IN UNLESS YOU u2019RE A REALLY GOOD SWIMMER, STILL CHECK WITH A LIFE GUARD, YELLOW, PROCEED WITH CAUTION. Reporter: WE DID A QUICK TEST OF PEOPLE u2019S KNOWLEDGE ON THE BEACH ABOUT THE FLAG COLORS. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE FLAG COLORS MEAN? MOST ARE PAYING ATTENTION. I KNOW THAT GREEN IT u2019S OKAY. IT u2019S DANGEROUS IF YOU GO IN WHEN THE FLAG IS RED. RED IS STRONG CURRENTS. YELLOW u2019S LIKE ONE TO TWO FEET AND GREEN IS GOOD TO GO. Reporter: ALWAYS SWIM PARALLEL TO THE BEACH WHEN YOU u2019RE OUT IN THE WATER STUCK IN YOU u2019RE OUT IN THE WATER STUCK IN A RIP CURRENT AND NEVER SWIM AGAINST IT. AFTER THAT THEN YOU CAN TURN IN”,”video_id”:”2000976963837_720″,”video_length”:”125359″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”cg_hj2nvSK75″,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”JF0K9l6SL4Ym”,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”yHGWDKRkOiOX”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_2000976963837″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”3 Men Hospitalized After Getting Caught in Rip Current” data-vidcid=”1:10:2684864″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/3-men-hospitalized-after-getting-caught-in-rip-current/2684864/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On” ” data-tagnames=” “59”:”Fort Lauderdale” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” Rose managed to get all three out of the water and then noticed one was unconscious. After all three were on the boat, a BSO boat pulls up and a deputy jumps on board and immediately starts chest compressions. Lifeguards swam out and climbed in the boat as well, and Rose decided to beach the boat so they could get to a hospital quicker. The swimmer who died had gone into cardiac arrest and was in critical condition at the hospital before passing away. His identity hasn’t been released. The other two swimmers were later discharged from the hospital. Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/swimmer-dies-days-after-fort-lauderdale-rip-current-rescue-caught-on-camera/2690251/)

Fired Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Unfairly Focused on Minority Candidates: Report

Fort Lauderdale’s police chief has been fired after only about six months on the job following an investigation into complaints that he made hiring and promotion decisions with an improper minority-first approach. A city of Fort Lauderdale news release said the chief, Larry Scirotto, 48, was fired by City Manager Chris Lagerbloom on Thursday. Scirotto, a former assistant chief in Pittsburgh, was the first openly gay chief hired in Fort Lauderdale and also is from a mixed-race background. He came in as the department was dealing with backlash from incidents during protests after George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis. I want a great relationship with people in our community who haven’t had access in the past, Scirotto said at the time. But in the fall, things turned sour when Scirotto promoted a list of minority employees. Four officers three white and one Hispanic filed EEOC complaints alleging that the chief was promoting unfairly. Many believed that Chief Scirotto made clear his intention to promote, based on race, gender, or sexual orientation, Lagerbloom said. The investigation into the bias complaints noted that Scirotto once said a conference room wall of photos was too white and said, I’m gonna change that. Another time, when considering a promotion, the investigation found that Scirotto said which one is blacker? The report quoted Scirotto as saying he intended to consider diversity at every opportunity. There’s everything we have to do in the proper way. Again, I go back to the fact that we support a very diverse organization, Lagerbloom said. We serve a very diverse community and that’s important. There are just certain ways that you can do that and do it legally, and other ways that meet that muster. Scirotto’s supporters expressed disappointment, saying the chief was heading towards positive changes for the department. Attorney Christina Currie used to head the Ft. Lauderdale Citizens Investigative Panel which looked into complaints against officers. Currie Friday afternoon said, I was really looking forward to the leadership that Chief Scirotto was going to bring. said attorney Christina Currie, who used to head the Fort Lauderdale Citizens Investigative Panel. I think our community was really excited changing the culture of what we had experienced here in our police department. The new chief came to town. He started making positive changes that would impact the whole community in a more positive direction than we had been in, community activist Jackie Scott said. The tactics used by a few officers to discredit the promotions of Black and minority officers with masters degrees, stellar reputations, and exemplary work history, are nothing short of appalling, Cecil Stone, the head of the Fort Lauderdale Black Police Association, previously wrote. The attorney for the four officers who filed the EEOC complaints said in a statement that she hopes the city continues on this path making improvements within the agency. We are pleased to see that the city of Fort Lauderdale is taking allegations of discriminatory practices within the department seriously, Tonja Haddad Coleman said. Scirotto did not return NBC 6’s requests for comment. The acting police chief will be Luis Alvarez, who is currently an assistant chief. The department has about 530 officers and 179 civilian employees. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/fired-fort-lauderdale-police-chief-unfairly-focused-on-minority-candidates-report/2706115/)

‘I Forgive You’: Partially Paralyzed Victim of Stolen U-Haul Crash Speaks From Hospital Bed

A South Florida teacher was driving back to campus after getting a gift for a student when a stolen, out-of-control U-Haul crashed into her car in Fort Lauderdale. I do not recall the actual accident itself, said Shanna Smith, who is a teacher at William Dandy Middle School. I was told that while going north on 31st Avenue, a young man who stole a U-Haul was going south, and in a police chase, and actually crossed over in the north lane and t-boned my vehicle. The crash happened 11 days before Christmas. So there’s no Christmas, no New Year’s, Smith said from her hospital bed over a month after the crash. Not only was she unable to spend the holidays with her loved ones and three children, but she was also left paralyzed from the waist down. My pelvic area is fractured on either side, upper and lower, Smith said. The outlook to become ambulatory is dismal, but I have faith and I do believe that I’ll walk again. Police say Michael Livingston was behind the wheel of the stolen U-Haul that crashed into Smith. THE DRIVER OF A U-HAULTRACK THE DRIVER OF A U-HAULTRACK IS TO BLAME FOR THIS MESS YOU SEE. POLICE TRIED TO PULL OVER THE SUSPECT WHEN HE CRASHED INTO SUSPECT WHEN HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, TAKING OUT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN THE PROCESS. KIM WYNNE CHOUNS USJOINS US WITH DETAILS. Reporter: THE ONLY THING LEFT Reporter: THE ONLY THING LEFT UP IS SOME YELLOW POLICE TAPE. THAT VICTIM IS LEFT WITH SERIOUS INJURIES TONIGHT AFTER THIS INJURIES TONIGHT AFTER THIS VIOLENT CRASH CAUGHT ON SURVEILLANCE VIDEO. I WAS STANDING RIGHT HERE BEHIND THIS DOOR. Reporter: SCARY MOMENTS CAUGHT ON SURVEILLANCE VIDEO, SHOWING A U-HAUL TRUCK SLAMMING SHOWING A U-HAUL TRUCK SLAMMING INTO A WHITE SUV. THIS WITNESS WHO DOESN u2019T WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED SAID HE SAW THE WHOLE THING. WHOLE THING. I SAW THE U-HAUL RUN THROUGH THE LIGHT AND PLOW INTO THE CAR. THE LIGHT AND PLOW INTO THE CAR. THE GUY TRIED TO RUN ACROSS THE FIELD, COPS TACKLING HIM. Reporter: POLICE SAY THEY GOT A CALL THIS AFTERNOON ABOUT A STOLEN U-HAUL TRUCK. POLICE SAY BEFORE OFFICERS COULD PULL THE DRIVER OVER, THE U-HAUL STARTED GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, THEN CRASHED INTO THE DIRECTION, THEN CRASHED INTO THE SUV, SENDING IT BARRELLING DOWN THE STREET. THE STREET. I WENT OUT TO SEE IF SHE WAS ALL RIGHT. THEY WERE CHASING THE GUY, NOBODY COULD GET ACROSS THE STREET, NOTHING. Reporter: POLICE SAY THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITH MINOR INJURIES. THE VICTIM WAS RUSHED TO THE THE VICTIM WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. WHEN THEY PULLED HER OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE, HER HANDS WERE MOVING LIKE THAT SO SHE WAS”,”video_id”:”1984198211664_513″,”video_length”:”113414″,”video_provider”:”mpx”,”short_video_excerpt”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_low”:”O3Dv1nxjrUfr”,”pid_streaming_web_mobile_low”:””,”mpx_download_pid_mobile_standard”:”Je9voaC7Gc52″,”pid_streaming_mobile_standard”:”_QckLcBh0PJK”,”alleypack_schedule_unpublish”:””,”feed_remote_id”:”mpx_1984198211664″,”feed_thumbnail_url”:”” ” data-livestream=”false” data-title=”Man Crashes After Stealing U-Haul Truck in Fort Lauderdale” data-vidcid=”1:10:2641547″ data-vidurl=”https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/man-crashes-after-stealing-u-haul-truck-in-fort-lauderdale/2641547/” data-islead=”false” data-catnames=” “5856”:”On Air”,”5857″:”As Seen On” ” data-tagnames=” “59”:”Fort Lauderdale” ” data-customdata=” “ContentPartner”:”None”,”Source”:”WEBFM”,”SyndicationAllowed”:”true”,”mSNVideoCategories”:”MSN Video v4 Connector-most watched news”,”mSNVideoContentSupplierID”:”NBC_Local”,”mSNVideoCountry”:”us”,”subtitle”:”nosubtitle”,”uploadedByTeam”:”1″,”youtubeChannel”:”None” ” data-autoplay=”false” data-cplay=”true” She shared a message to the suspect Livingston, who remains behind bars. I forgive you, because I’m required to, Smith said. But know that you did not just change my life, you’ve impacted my three children, you’ve impacted my spouse, my family, my community as a whole, my students. Livingston faces several charges, including reckless driving causing serious bodily injury. Smith’s loved ones have started a GoFundMe account to help cover the costs of her medical expenses. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/i-forgive-you-partially-paralyzed-victim-of-stolen-u-haul-crash-speaks-from-hospital-bed/2664802/)

Fort Lauderdale Fires Police Chief After Probe Into Employee Complaints

After less than a year on the job, Fort Lauderdale’s top cop is being fired after an investigation into employee complaints, the city manager said Thursday. In a brief statement, City Manager Chris Lagerbloom said it’s in the city’s best interest to separate employment with Police Chief Larry Scirotto. Lagerbloom didn’t give any details on the employee complaints. It was announced in November that the city had hired an outside investigator to look into allegations of racial, gender and sexual-orientation discrimination in its police department. Former prosecutor Gregg Rossman was hired to look into complaints by four officers that the police department discriminates when it comes to internal promotions. Assistant Chief Luis Alvarez will serve as acting chief, as the city searches for its next chief, Lagerbloom said. Alvarez joined the FLPD in 1997 and has spent time in the narcotics unit and was a Special Operations Division commander before being named assistant chief of the Investigations Bureau. Scirotto was sworn-in as Fort Lauderdale’s chief in August 2021, following a two-decade career in Pittsburgh where he rose to be the assistant chief. Miami Beach Mar 4 Violent Shaking, Engine Failure Before Helicopter Crashed Off Miami Beach: NTSB Report South Florida Mar 4 Search for Missing Couple Suspended After Plane Wreckage Found Near Florida Keys He was selected after a nationwide search after the department came under criticism when video showed an officer pushing a woman who was kneeling during a protest after the death of George Floyd. Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/fort-lauderdale-fires-police-chief-after-probe-into-employee-complaints/2705242/)

‘God Sent Me There’: Operator Speaks About Quick Actions During Deadly Bus Shooting

The bus operator who was praised for her quick actions when a gunman opened fire inside of a Broward County transit bus, killing two, spoke out in a brief statement about the ordeal. The county did not release her name, and she asked for privacy through a statement released Monday by Broward County Transit. I believe God guided me to a place of safety last Thursday, she said. I wasn’t scared, my heart wasn’t racing, God sent me there, I’m very sorry for the lives that were lost that day. When asked if she would ever drive again, she said, I’m naturally a bus operator, I love what I do, I take pride in what I do, I love the people I drive for. Fort Lauderdale Mar 18 Gunman Involved in Argument Before Opening Fire 21 Times on Broward Bus: Police Fort Lauderdale Mar 18 Broward Bus Driver Hailed as Hero After Gunman Opened Fire Police say when Jamal J. Meyers, 34, opened fire on the bus Thursday, the operator made the split-second decision to pull in front of the Fort Lauderdale Police station, causing a crash that injured three more people. The bus driver in this particular case, her quick actions I am sure saved lives, interim police Chief Luis Alvarez said in a briefing shortly after the shooting. Kudos to her. She deserves to be applauded for her actions. Gregory Campbell Jr. and Danny Colon were identified as the victims who died in the shooting. Stay informed about local news and weather. Get the NBC 6 South Florida app for iOS or Android and pick your alerts. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/god-sent-me-there-operator-speaks-about-quick-actions-during-deadly-bus-shooting/2718895/)

‘Turn Yourself in’: Fort Lauderdale Barber Survives Shooting Outside Shop

Police are searching for a gunman who was captured on video running from the scene after he allegedly shot a barber outside of his shop in Fort Lauderdale. The shooting happened the night of Jan. 4 in the 3200 block of West Broward Boulevard. The victim, Kevin Williamson, said he’s grateful to be alive after being shot in the chest and the hand. This finger just came off completely. It was hanging by the skin, Williamson said Tuesday. Williamson said the shooting happened outside Executive Salon Barbershop, where he has been working for the past five years. He said a car came into the parking lot and almost hit his car, and when he gestured for the driver to move over, a man jumped out of the car and shot him. Surveillance footage from a nearby business showed the suspect fleeing the scene on foot. I was so surprised, I didn’t hear the shot, I didn’t know, Williamson said. I just felt the burning and the blood so the first thing that comes to mind was to apply pressure to the wound. Then I yell to the other barbers that I got shot and they called the police. Williamson has had two surgeries and had a third one coming up. He wanted to send this message to whoever shot him. Turn yourself in, he said. I’m a father of three and you almost took me away from my kids. Police are asking anyone with information on the suspect or the shooting to call them at 954-828-5914 or Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/video-shows-gunman-running-from-scene-after-shooting-man-in-fort-lauderdale-police/2714257/)

‘Great, But Concerning’: Spring Breakers Pack Fort Lauderdale Beach

Crowds of spring breakers appeared to take over almost every available inch of Fort Lauderdale Beach on Wednesday. It was the most crowded Battalion Chief Steve Gollan can remember in at least five years. It’s great to see, but it’s also concerning, ’cause our job is to make sure they stay safe and go home to their colleges when spring break is over, Gollan said. As the day stretched on, call volumes for Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue went up for people passing out, dehydration, cuts and jellyfish stings. There hasn’t been a rescue as of Wednesday afternoon. But the main goal is to keep people from crowding together by the hundreds. When they’re spread out a little bit more, it’s easy for us to see what’s taking place and to dispatch resources if they’re needed, Gollan said. Caught on Camera Mar 9 Video Shows Violent Rollover Crash at Fort Lauderdale Intersection Miami-Dade County Mar 10 Employee Fatally Shoots Co-Worker in Miami-Dade Workplace Dispute: Police This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/great-but-concerning-spring-breakers-pack-fort-lauderdale-beach/2710083/)

Police Now Investigating Fort Lauderdale Man’s Death in Condo Fire as Homicide

The death of a 93-year-old Fort Lauderdale man who died in a fire at his condo in December is now being looked at as a homicide. A search warrant obtained by NBC 6 shows that an early morning fire back on Dec. 3 at 4010 Galt Ocean Drive is now being investigated as a potential crime. The fire quickly spread through the 9th-floor apartment, killing Howard Perkins. Keith Rush, Perkins’ roommate, told NBC 6 at the time that he believed a lamp fell over and a hot bulb started the fire. Investigators initially ruled the fire as accidental. This case is currently being investigated by our homicide unit. Due to the fact that a person died during the fire, detectives are investigating the case to determine the cause and origin of the fire, Fort Lauderdale Police said in a statement. At this time, no suspects have been identified in the investigation. According to the search warrant, investigators recovered a smoke alarm, clothing, lighters, butane fuel and an unknown liquid. NBC 6 attempted to reach Rush on Thursday for comment but was unable to find him. The front desk of the condo said Rush hasn’t been living there, but he has returned a few times. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/police-now-investigating-fort-lauderdale-mans-death-in-condo-fire-as-homicide/2673100/)

3 Suspects Arrested, 23 Stolen Phones Recovered at Tortuga Music Festival

Fort Lauderdale Police arrested three adults for pickpocketing at the Tortuga Musical Festival on Saturday night, recovering 23 cell phones from them. The arrestees include Piter Nieto Valenzuela, 28, Yesica Castellano, 28 and Wilson Andres Garson Ruzzi, 23. From L-R: Piter Nieto Valenzuela, 28, Yesica Castellano, 28 and Wilson Andres Garson Ruzzi, 23 Police said the trio had nearly two dozen phones in a backpack when they were arrested. The stolen phones were inside faraday bags, which block cell signals and make it difficult to track devices, police said. These suspects went to the festival with the intent of doing this of pickpocketing, that’s evidenced by the faraday bags. It was thought about beforehand, said Det. Ali Adamson with Fort Lauderdale Police. While at the festival, it wasn’t difficult for NBC 6 to find people who had their phone stoles, but most said it would not ruin their weekend. It’s horrible, attendee Keyonna Hill said. People are out here trying to have a good time. Why are you trying to ruin it for other people? Hill watched as a man tried to steal her mom’s cell phone just outside the entrance of the festival Sunday night. A guy was asking her about her wrist band and next thing you know he’s trying to sneak in her pocket, Hill said. Because we’re on this side and I see him and he goes there and grabs the phone and the dude just walks off. LJ Pratt wasn’t as lucky. His phone was stolen at the festival Saturday afternoon. It sucks, but we’ll find them, Pratt said. They’ll get theirs. Last month at the Ultra Music Festival, a man found more than 12 iPhones in a bag near a Miami motel after his wife’s cell phone was stolen. Another man said that police told him 104 phones were stolen on the first day of the electronic music festival. FLPD, along with festival security, have a zero-tolerance policy for victimizing festival attendees. If you’re attending an event with a large crowd, police recommend you keep your phone in a secure and safe place and always password protect your devices. If anyone believes that may have been a victim of a phone theft at the event last night, they can contact 954-764-HELP and reference case number 22-063714. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/3-suspects-arrested-23-stolen-phones-recovered-at-tortuga-music-festival/2733119/)

Man Wanted in 2020 Fort Lauderdale Bus Terminal Murder Arrested: Police

A couple wanted in connection with a man’s 2020 murder inside a crowded bus terminal in Fort Lauderdale have been found in Massachusetts, police said. Massachusetts State Police found 23-year-old Kimani Brown and his 17-year-old female accomplice over the weekend, Fort Lauderdale Police officials said Monday. The pair was being sought in the Oct. 17, 2020 killing of 28-year-old Davonta Gaines, who was fatally shot inside the terminal at 101 Northwest 1st Avenue. Davonta Gaines Police said Brown opened fire on Gaines inside the terminal shortly after 2 p.m. Two innocent bystanders were also injured by the gunfire. Detectives said just minutes before the shooting, Gaines was inside a convenience store across the street from the bus terminal speaking with the 17-year-old, who is Brown’s girlfriend. After the shooting, the pair fled, and police have been looking for them ever since. Last year, police said they were still trying to determine a motive for the shooting. Brown, of Hollywood, faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. His girlfriend hasn’t been charged in connection with the incident but the investigation is ongoing, police said. Stay informed about local news and weather. Get the NBC 6 South Florida app for iOS or Android and pick your alerts. (https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/man-wanted-in-2020-fort-lauderdale-bus-terminal-murder-arrested-police/2723885/)