NBC6 posted the following video to YouTube that shows the Miami-Dade Police raid at the Extended Stay America on Fairway Drive in Miami Springs that ended with the death of Jaime Robles on August 16, 2022.
Why did Miami-Dade Police raid the Miami Springs Hotel? Let’s go back to the very beginning…
It all started with an armed robbery that occurred in Dania Beach in Broward County. Apparently, the vehicle associated with the Dania Beach robbery scored a hit on one of the Miami Springs Automated License Plate Readers.
Miami-Dade Police Units were able to locate the vehicle east of Miami Springs along NW 62nd Street. Miami-Dade Police attempted to pull the car over at NW 62nd Street and NW 17th Avenue. After initially stopping, the suspect allegedly rammed police vehicles and fled east along NW 62nd Street. A police chase ensued for 10 blocks until the suspect crashed at NW 62nd Street and NW 7th Avenue. That’s where a shootout occurred leading to the death of a suspect at that scene and a critically injured Miami-Dade Police Officer. Tragically, Miami-Dade Police Officer Cesar “Echy” Echaverry did not survive and succumbed to the injuries on August 17, 2022, two days after the shooting.
As you might imagine, Miami-Dade Police in conjunction with Broward’s Sheriff’s office continued to investigate the people associated with the armed robbery that eventually led to the shooting.
That investigation led to a search warrant to be executed at the Miami Springs Extended Stay America on Fairway Drive for Jaime Robles. Miami-Dade Police Special Response Team executed the search warrant at the Miami Springs Hotel. The Special Response Team allegedly confronted one of the suspects from the Dania Beach armed robbery (now identified as Robles) while executing the search warrant. Miami-Dade Police allege the suspect confronted the police armed with an AK-47 style rifle. As a result of the confrontation, shots were fired and the suspect at the hotel is now deceased. At least, that’s what police allege happened at the scene.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), as usual, was in charge of investigating the officer involved shooting.
However, the newly released video brings up many questions. When you watch the video you’ll notice a couple of things.
The officers knock on the door and first appear to say “Room Service” before breaking in and repeatedly yelling “Search Warrant” and “Hands Up.”
The key concern is that the suspect, who was allegedly naked and incapable of hiding a firearm on his person, appears to be compliant and waving his hands up. That’s when you hear multiple shots being fired and officers declaring “Subject’s down…subject’s down.” The video does not show the suspect reaching for a gun. That does not mean it didn’t happen as part of the video is blocked by a riot shield.
Then, after the naked suspect was shot and on the ground, Miami-Dade Police had a second shooting episode. You can hear the officer say, “Hands…Let me see your hands.” And then the officer fires another series of shots. According to the report, the robbery suspect, Robles, was shot a total of 16 times.
Was this an execution?
The obvious question: Was Robles executed by Miami-Dade Police as payback for the death of Officer Echaverry?
Remember, Robles was suspected of being involved in an armed robbery. Police had reason to believe he was still armed. Sure enough, the video shows an AK-47 style rifle on the bathroom sink.
There are two sets of shootings:
- The first set of shots where the suspect appears to be holding his hands up.
- The second set of shots when the suspect was already down and on the ground and further away from the AK-47 that was on the sink.
Did Robles, who was naked and with his arms up, all of a sudden make a move towards the AK-47? That would most definitely give officers a reason to defend themselves and fire at Robles.
However, if Robles did not go for the firearm and was being compliant with the officers, then this should be considered as an extrajudicial killing.
Further complicating the matter was that Robles’ two children were in the room when the police shot and killed Robles. In the video, you can hear the children crying.
In addition, the NBC6 report highlighted bullet holes in an adjacent hotel room. Did Miami-Dade Police put the public at risk?
We want to be clear. We support the men and women in law enforcement. However, strong support must be accompanied by strong accountability at the highest level.
GREAT JOB NBC 6!
We want to commend NBC 6 for an outstanding report. It’s important to have a strong media to hold the powerful accountable.
Read the full NBC 6 report at:
https://www.nbcmiami.com/investigations/bodycam-video-raises-questions-about-police-raid-inside-hotel-room-in-miami-springs/3296324/
What do you think?
Do you think the officer had plausible cause to shoot Robles when they first entered the room?
Do you think the officer had plausible cause to shoot Robles when he was already down and on the ground?
Do you think there just isn’t enough information?
Do you think Miami-Dade Police are covering this up?
Do you think Robles deserved to get shot?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or via social media.
