The incident unfolded on March 2nd on the Venetian Causeway in Miami Beach, Florida, shortly before 12:30 p.m. Officer Shenaqua Stringer responded to a 911 call reporting a suspicious individual possibly carrying a firearm. As she approached the man, he reached into his pocket, prompting Officer Stringer to draw her weapon. A struggle ensued, and Officer Fabio Balanos arrived on the scene, running towards the ongoing altercation. In the midst of the struggle, Officer Stringer’s firearm discharged, striking Officer Balanos in the left leg. Crucially, neither officer’s body camera captured the precise moment of the shooting. Officer Stringer’s camera was not activated at the time, and Officer Balanos’ camera did not directly record the discharge.
While the exact moment of the shooting was not captured on video, the immediate aftermath was documented by Officer Balanos’ body camera. The footage reveals a growing pool of blood forming beneath Officer Balanos, and the suspect can be heard expressing disbelief and concern over the officer’s injury. As Officer Stringer handcuffed the suspect, Officer Balanos requested a tourniquet, highlighting the urgency of his injury. The body camera footage continues to document the arrival of other officers, their swift application of a tourniquet to Officer Balanos’ leg, his audible expressions of pain, and his transport to the hospital in a police cruiser.
During the journey to the hospital, Officer Balanos borrowed a phone to reassure his wife of his condition, confirming the leg injury but emphasizing his overall well-being. The bodycam footage follows Officer Balanos’ arrival at the hospital, capturing the frantic efforts of officers to alert medical personnel to the emergency. The officers are seen and heard banging on the hospital doors, urging staff to expedite their response. Subsequent investigation revealed the “unknown object” the suspect reached for was not a firearm, but a metallic cigarette lighter. Furthermore, authorities identified the man as a missing person from Collier County. He was not charged with any crime.
The unintentional shooting of Officer Balanos prompted an internal investigation by the Miami Beach Police Department, which remains ongoing. Officer Stringer continues to be employed by the agency. Concurrently, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office conducted a separate investigation to determine if any criminal charges were warranted. After reviewing the evidence, the State Attorney’s Office concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Officer Stringer. The South Florida Police Benevolent Association, the union representing the officers, has not publicly commented on the incident.
This incident underscores the potential for unintended consequences in high-stress law enforcement situations. The confluence of a perceived threat, the presence of a firearm, and the dynamic nature of the struggle contributed to the accidental discharge. The lack of body camera footage capturing the critical moment highlights the limitations of this technology, even as it provides valuable documentation of the events leading up to and following the shooting. The fact that the suspect was ultimately identified as a missing person adds another layer of complexity to the narrative and raises questions about the initial suspicion that prompted the 911 call.
Officer Balanos, a Coast Guard veteran with extensive experience in law enforcement, has reportedly made a full recovery from his leg injury and has returned to active duty. This positive outcome, while fortunate, does not diminish the seriousness of the incident and the need for thorough investigation and potential policy review. The incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks faced by law enforcement officers and the potential for unforeseen consequences in rapidly evolving situations. The ongoing internal investigation will likely focus on determining whether Officer Stringer’s actions adhered to department protocols and best practices, and whether any policy adjustments are necessary to mitigate the risk of similar incidents in the future.
