Two Miami-Dade police officers killed in attempted arrest
For the first time in decades, two Miami-Dade police officers were killed in the same incident.
Two Miami-Dade police officers were shot and killed in a gunfight with suspects as they tried to serve a warrant for a violent fugitive in a Miami home Thursday morning.
It was the first time in decades two law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty.The dead male officer was identified as Roger Castillo, of Davie, a 21-year-veteran. The female officer was identified as Amanda Holworth, 44, of Miramar, a 23-year veteran. Both had been wearing bullet-proof vests.
``Two angels from our police department were murdered today and I'm angry about it,'' said Miami-Dade Police Director James Loftus, who held an emotional afternoon news conference. ``Our worse nightmare has visited upon us again.''
The suspect, identified as Johnny Simms, 23, was killed in the gun battle. He was shot by officer Oscar Pasencia, one of the four officers at the scene. Another suspect was taken into custody, said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez.
Investigators say they're not looking for any other suspects. Late Thursday, investigators were questioning as many as four other persons who were inside the home at the time of the shooting.
``It's shocking. It's hurtful,'' said explained Alvarez, who rushed to the scene. ``Really, I can't put it into words. Needless to say, I'm taking it extremely personally. They were professionals working in a professional, elite unit. Their mission was to go after violent career criminals.''
Commander Nancy Perez, who broke down when she announced the news of the first officer's death shortly before 12:30 p.m. Thursday said: ``We're asking for the community's prayers.''
The county detectives were attempting to arrest Simms on a murder warrant for a slaying that happened in October in Miami, Loftus said.
Simms, according to state corrections records, was released from prison in September on probation. He had been imprisoned for armed robbery and selling cocaine and had a long rap sheet, police said.
Simms was wanted for the Oct. 16 murder of Cornelious Larry, 27, who was shot to death in a parking lot at an Overtown apartment complex at 1535 NW First Pl. According to Miami police, Simms shot Larry to death after the man began yelling and cursing at Simms' sister.
Details were sketchy about Simm's deadly encounter with police on Thursday, but this much was known: The shooting erupted between a suspect and police at a home near Northwest Seventh Avenue and 69th Street.
A total of four officer had knocked on the door when the firing began. Also injured was Officer Diedra Beecher, who sustained a knee injury. The fourth officer, Pasencia opened fire, killing Simms, Loftus said.
``He was shot at -- he shot back,'' Loftus said.
Castillo died at the scene. Haworth was pronounced dead during surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center.
Later Thursday, the bodies of the officers were brought to the Miami Dade Medical Examiner's office, their stretchers covered with an American flag. Officers formed a double line - their hands covering their hearts - as the bodies were rolled in.
Haworth is one of a handful of women officers killed in the line of duty in South Florida, and is the first shot and killed by a suspect in Miami-Dade. She was a single mother raising her 13-year-old son, according to her mother.
Miami-Dade Police Officer Cheryl Seiden was killed in 1982 during a robbery in a parking lot outside her Kendall apartment complex. She was off-duty at the time of her death.
News From: www.miamiherald.com
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