Back on December 10th, 2013, Miami police chased robbery suspect Adrian Montesano and innocent passenger Corsini Valdes until the car they were in crashed. The car was pinned between a utility pole and a tree and could not move. At least 23 Miami-Dade police officers surrounded the vehicle for more than minutes. The suspects were ordered out of the car and according to witnesses were trying to put their hands up. That’s when one of the officers fired his weapon triggering what has been called a contagious fire event. All of the officers opened up and not only hit the car and suspects, but also nearby homes, businesses and fellow police officers. One officer was shot in the leg, another grazed in the head and others suffered ruptured eardrums from the intensity of gunfire. Then, when it was noticed that the suspects were still moving the police let go with a second volley of gunfire. After the officers ceased fire and the scene calmed down, both Montesano and Valdes were dead.
Now with an initial investigation underway, law enforcement have admitted that Montesano and Valdes were unarmed and the car immobile. One witness stated, “that was it for them. That guy tried his best to give up. I swear to God on everything I love; my kids, my mama, everything. I seen it all.” Adding to the tragedy of the situation, witnesses claim some officers were at the scene laughing at the total chaos and circumstances of the gun battle. “The policemen that had on the black and white vests were out there laughing like it was so funny because they got a free shot off them people,” said one of the neighbors to “CBS-4 Miami.” “Shooting all them bullets like that, that don’t make no sense,” he continued.
Law enforcement officials have not offered an explanation as to whether the use of deadly force was justified in this situation. The investigation is currently ongoing.
