Miami-Dade Deputy Involved in Fatal Shooting of Armed Shoplifting Suspect
Recent body camera and surveillance footage has surfaced, depicting a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy in a confrontation with an armed shoplifting suspect last fall. The incident culminated in the deputy fatally shooting the suspect as he attempted to flee while armed.
This event transpired on November 6th at a Walmart located in southwest Miami-Dade. According to reports, the police were alerted about a man believed to be shoplifting inside the store. Surveillance images captured the suspect walking along an aisle before making his way out of the store.
As the man exited, a deputy attempted to intervene, leading to a struggle that was recorded on body camera footage. The suspect was identified later as 36-year-old Kennedy Graham.
During the altercation, the video reveals Graham fleeing from the deputy. The deputy’s voice can be heard urging him to comply. As the struggle ensued, it appears that officers, anticipating the situation might escalate further, called for backup.
In a breakdown of the footage, investigators noted that Graham was armed at the time. The surveillance showed a chaotic scene where the deputy was seen trying to subdue Graham while he resisted. At one moment, Graham reportedly dropped the weapon but subsequently picked it up again as he fled. The deputy then discharged his firearm.
Emergency responders rushed Graham to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported.
Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Corderostatz expressed her support for the deputy’s actions, noting Graham’s extensive criminal history. She remarked, “We are grateful at this point. Things could have been much worse.”
Investigators also presented the weapon that Graham reportedly carried during the incident, confirming it was loaded. The sheriff’s office acknowledged the community’s concerns regarding such incidents involving law enforcement and emphasized the public’s entitlement to transparency during serious encounters.
As the investigation continues, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is reviewing the case, which is standard practice following police shooting incidents.
