Doral, Florida – Authorities have identified the suspect responsible for a shooting incident that claimed the life of a security guard and injured seven others in Doral, situated just west of Miami. The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The suspect, 37-year-old Jamal Wayne Wood, was fatally shot during an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement officers at the scene, as confirmed by the Miami-Dade Police Department in a statement on Sunday. An officer from the Doral Police Department also sustained injuries during the confrontation.
The shooting occurred following a disturbance among patrons at a local establishment around 3:30 a.m., according to statements from Doral Police Department spokesperson Alicia Neal.
A security guard, George Alejandro Castellanos, attempted to intervene and was tragically killed by the gunman, as reported by Miami-Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta during a press conference on Saturday morning.
Law enforcement officers from Doral who were present at the establishment responded to the scene and engaged in a gunfight with the suspect, Zabaleta confirmed.
The shooting incident unfolded at the Martini Bar, a nightclub located in CityPlace Doral. Six bystanders were also wounded during the exchange of gunfire between the gunman and the police, with one individual in critical condition at Jackson Trauma Center.
Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez mentioned that a year ago, officers had undertaken extensive training for a mass casualty active shooter drill at the same establishment where the shooting incident occurred.
Residents in the vicinity, like William Suedois, were startled by the gunshots. Suedois described the experience as frightening and unnerving, highlighting the intensity of the situation.
Both the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are collaborating on the investigation into the tragic event.