Bodycam video shows friendly fire involving Miami Beach cops on Venetian Causeway

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Bodycam footage released by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office on Friday reveals the chaotic moments of a police shooting on the Venetian Causeway, where authorities said an officer was accidentally struck by a colleague’s bullet during a struggle with a suspect last year.

The incident occurred on March 2 and involved Miami Beach Police Officer Shenaqua Stringer, who, while attempting to restrain a suspect, accidentally discharged her gun, striking Officer Fabio Bolanos in the leg, according to investigators.

Despite the injury, authorities said officers maintained control of the suspect throughout the ordeal, authorities said.

The bodycam footage, coupled with cellphone video obtained by Local 10 News, captures Bolanos’ cries of pain as fellow officers rush to get him into a patrol car for transport to Jackson Memorial’s Ryder Trauma Center while he kept a sense of humor.

“That hurts,” said Bolanos while chuckling as he was treated by medics.

A memo from the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office revealed the suspect, initially believed to be armed, was carrying only a metallic lighter.

Police later determined the man was experiencing a mental health crisis.

The M-DSAO concluded there was insufficient evidence to charge the suspect.

Meanwhile, an internal investigation into the shooting remains underway, according to authorities.


About the Author
Janine Stanwood headshot

Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor. She is now a general assignment reporter. Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home, Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill.

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