A dramatic scene unfolded in Miami when a police officer fired his weapon through the windshield of a moving car while clinging to its hood. The incident, captured on video, has sparked intense debate over law enforcement tactics and use of force. The footage shows the officer gripping the hood of a black BMW, firing multiple shots into the vehicle as it moves through traffic.
Authorities report that the driver, identified as Menelek Clarke, struck the officer with his car near Bayfront Park. In response, the officer discharged his firearm, hitting Clarke. The video shows Clarke exiting the vehicle with his hands raised before collapsing on the pavement. His sister, who was inside the car, claims he was attempting to maneuver around the officer, not toward him.
The footage raises serious questions about police protocol. Experts argue that officers should avoid placing themselves in vulnerable positions that could escalate confrontations. Retired police captain Fernando Morales explained that for the shooting to be justified, the officer must have feared for his life or serious bodily harm.
The Miami Police Department has launched an investigation into the incident. Officials have not released body-camera footage, citing ongoing internal and state reviews. Clarke remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition. His family insists that he was not trying to harm the officer, but rather attempting to comply with traffic directions.
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