A top Florida police official shot himself in the head on the side of a highway Sunday after an argument with his wife and remains in critical condition, according to reports.
Tampa cops responded earlier in the day to a “disturbance” at a local hotel involving Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Ramirez, who was in town for a sheriffs’ association conference, and his wife.
After responding officers left the scene of the initial call, Miami-Dade’s top cop shot himself in the head on Interstate 75.
The Florida Highway Patrol addressed the incident in a statement.
“Director Ramirez suffered serious injuries and is hospitalized,” the agency said. “No one else was injured. There is no threat to the community. Our investigation is active.”
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levina Cava said Ramirez underwent surgery early Monday and was in critical but stable condition.
“All that matters right now is Chief Ramirez’s wellbeing, and I join his family, his loved ones, and all his Miami-Dade police department and Miami-Dade county family in praying for his swift recovery,” she tweeted.
The violence shocked attendees at the annual conference, where more than 500 senior law enforcement officials had gathered from across the country.
One witness told the Miami Herald that Ramirez, 52, and his wife had been asked to leave their hotel after a loud argument outside their room.
No further details were released about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the Herald, Miami-Dade cops were instructed not to travel to Tampa to demonstrate their support for the department’s leader.
“Please continue to pray for his comfort and healing during these upcoming days,” read an internal email, according to the paper.
Ramirez was appointed to supervise the Miami-Dade agency in 2020 after 24 years with the department.
Unlike most Florida counties, Miami-Dade does not have an elected sheriff and instead appoints a director.
New legislation, however, will reinstate the sheriff’s position next year for the first time since 1966.
Ramirez had filed paperwork to run for the position.
SOURCE: New york post
