A Miami police officer fired shots at a driver after being struck by the vehicle while directing traffic near Bayfront Park during the Best of the Best Caribbean music festival on May 25, 2025.
According to Miami Police Assistant Chief Armando Aguilar, the officer was hit by the car, prompting him to fire through the windshield. Video footage showed the officer holding onto the hood of the black BMW before shooting multiple times. The driver, 21-year-old Menelek Clarke, stopped the car and complied with police commands.
Clarke was taken to Ryder Trauma Center in critical but stable condition, while the officer sustained minor injuries treated at the scene. Clarke’s sister, who was in the car, said her brother was unarmed and did not intentionally hit the officer.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident, reviewing bodycam and surveillance footage. The Miami Police Department has yet to release additional details. Authorities have asked the public to provide any further information.
The shooting has raised concerns about police conduct during public events, with community leaders calling for a thorough and transparent investigation.
