A shocking incident unfolded in downtown Miami when a police officer found himself clinging to the hood of a car, firing multiple rounds through the windshield as the driver allegedly hit him and accelerated forward. The dramatic scene was captured on a wild cellphone video obtained by Local 10 News.
In the video, the officer, wearing a reflective yellow vest, is seen holding on to the hood of a black BMW while pressing his service pistol against the windshield and firing at least three shots into the car. Bystanders on the busy street can be heard panicking as the vehicle attempts to turn left but eventually comes to a stop, allowing the officer to jump off to safety as the driver’s side door swings open.
The driver, later identified as 21-year-old Menelek Clarke, exits the BMW in a blood-stained white shirt and is ordered to get on the ground by the officer who shot him. He complies and is eventually handcuffed by another officer who arrives at the scene.
The incident took place in front of Bayfront Park, near Kaseya Arena, during the Best of the Best Caribbean music festival, causing chaos among the thousands of concertgoers in attendance. Clarke was shot multiple times during the altercation and was rushed to Ryder Trauma Center for treatment, while the officer sustained minor injuries and was treated at the hospital before being released.
Miami Police Assistant Chief Armando Aguilar stated that the details leading up to the shooting are still unclear, as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation. The officer’s body camera footage and surveillance video from the area are being reviewed as part of the inquiry.
Clarke’s sister, Sherylann Clarke, who was in the car during the incident, provided her account of the events, claiming that her brother was not trying to hit the officer intentionally. She stated that her brother was looking for a parking spot and that the officer moved with the car as it tried to maneuver around him.
Sherlyann expressed her belief that her brother was wrongfully shot multiple times while inside the vehicle and without posing a threat with a weapon. The Miami Police Department has been contacted for comment on the matter.
The shocking incident has sparked controversy and raised questions about the use of force by law enforcement officers in tense situations. As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting in downtown Miami.
