In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association criticized prosecutors for initiating a criminal case against four officers involved in a 2019 shootout that resulted in the deaths of a UPS driver and a passerby. The union leader, Steadman Stahl, argued that the officers had no choice but to engage in the shootout on a crowded street with armed robbers.
Stahl expressed concerns that the prosecutors’ actions could deter officers from taking necessary actions in similar situations in the future, as they might fear facing charges if innocent bystanders are nearby. He emphasized that the responsibility for the tragic deaths should lie with the robbers, Lamar Alexander and Ronnie Jerome Hill, who opted to engage in a violent confrontation rather than surrender peacefully.
The four officers from Miami-Dade County, Rodolfo Mirabal, Jose Mateo, Richard Santiesteban, and Leslie Lee, were indicted on manslaughter charges following a lengthy investigation. While the officers have pleaded not guilty and have been released without bail, they face a maximum sentence of 30 years if convicted.
Notably, Stahl highlighted the inconsistency in the prosecutors’ decisions, referring to a previous case involving the prosecution of a deputy for not engaging an active shooter. Stahl questioned the rationale behind the charges brought against the officers in this case, given the challenging circumstances they faced during the shootout.
The Broward State Attorney, Harold Pryor, declined to comment on the matter. The officers involved in the incident have differing current employment statuses, with Mateo and Mirabal still working for Miami-Dade police, Lee retired three years ago, and Santiesteban was terminated.
The incident, which unfolded during a robbery at Regent Jewelers in Coral Gables, escalated into a high-speed chase that culminated in a shootout at a busy intersection in Broward County. While witnesses reported gunfire from both the van and officers, the exact circumstances of the victims’ deaths remain unclear.
Experts noted the complexity of the situation faced by the officers, acknowledging the need to contain the armed robbers inside the van to prevent further harm to bystanders. This case marks a rare instance of law enforcement officers in Florida facing charges for an on-duty killing, with historical data showing limited convictions in similar circumstances.
In a separate case, Nouman Raja, a former Palm Beach Gardens Officer, is currently serving a prison sentence for the manslaughter and attempted murder of Corey Jones in a 2015 shooting incident. Raja’s conviction stemmed from his actions during an interaction with Jones, where he failed to identify himself as a police officer, leading to a tragic outcome.
