Miami Officer Shoots Driver During Concert Traffic Incident

MIAMI – A Miami police officer shot a 21-year-old man after the man’s vehicle made contact with the officer during traffic control at the Best of the Best concert on Sunday afternoon. The incident took place near Bayfront Park, a popular venue for large events.

The man, identified as Menelek Clarke, was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he underwent surgery. His sister, Sherylann Clarke, was in the car at the time and stated that they were looking for a parking spot when the incident occurred.

“We were all stopped. We were in the middle lane, and he told everyone else to go with his hands,” Sherylann said. “Then he stood in front of my brother’s car and shot him.” She added that the officer’s actions were unintentional.

Menelek Clarke is currently in critical but stable condition after being shot multiple times. “He’s talking now, but he felt like he was going to die,” Sherylann said.

The officer involved received minor injuries and was also treated at a hospital. Miami Police Deputy Chief Armando Aguilar confirmed that the officer was directing traffic near 2nd Street and Biscayne Boulevard when the contact happened.

Aguilar stated, “There are a lot of cameras, both Miami Police cameras and private cameras, that we are still reviewing.” The investigation is being led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which is standard protocol in police shooting incidents.

Sherylann emphasized that her brother was not armed and questioned the necessity of the officer’s use of force. “The only one that was firing the gun was the officer. There’s no weapons, nothing,” she said.

The Best of the Best festival, which features Caribbean music, was expected to attract around 12,000 attendees this year.