Prosecutors cleared two Miami officers of wrongdoing Monday in the shooting death of Evelyn Valdes, 28, a birthday celebrant killed by a stray bullet during a crowded Wynwood gunfight — a decision her family immediately condemned as a “cover-up.”
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office released bodycam footage showing the June 14 confrontation in the nightlife-packed neighborhood, where officers fired 14 rounds at armed suspect Norman Lindo as clubgoers filled the streets. Valdes, behind the wheel of her SUV, was struck and killed. Lindo also died at the scene.
The officers’ body cameras captured the shooting visually but carried no audio of the encounter because the devices were muted until after the gunfire, officials told WTVJ-TV. Prosecutors wrote in their closeout memo that two officers had ordered Lindo to “drop his weapon,” though that command cannot be heard on the released footage.
Valdes’ relatives, already suing the Miami Police Department, said the silent video only deepened their distrust. “They shot because they were scared for their lives and lives of civilians — but what about my daughter?” her mother, Kristy Garcia, asked WTVJ-TV.
“My daughter was a civilian, too, and they killed her, not the suspect, so I’m angry,” the grieving mom said.
“It’s definitely a cover-up, and it’s sad that the system has failed us.”
Family members argue the footage proves Lindo never posed sufficient threat to justify a volley of shots in such a dense environment. Jose Valdes, Evelyn’s brother, pointed to multiple camera angles showing the suspect’s posture during the final moments.
“It’s very clear from multiple angles and footage that the firearm was never pointed at anyone, his arm was fully extended to the ground,” he said.
“They’re definitely trying to cover up something, they’re definitely trying to find a way to protect these officers that were involved.”
The video release prompted Valdes’ family lawyers to amend their pending lawsuit against the department. Attorney Ray Rasco, speaking at a Wednesday press conference, said the footage revealed officers skipped critical steps before opening fire.
“Yes, there was an individual with a gun, but the videos show they started shooting at him without using any de-escalatory tactics, they did not ask him to drop his weapon, to put down his weapon, to cease and desist,” Rasco said.
The lawyer added that less-lethal options appeared available. “They could have used a Taser; without asking any questions, without making any statements, they started shooting,” he continued.
The June 14 incident erupted around 3 a.m. On a street teeming with pedestrians and vehicles near Wynwood’s popular nightclubs. Norman Lindo, carrying a handgun, was pushing people aside as he moved through the crowd when officers encountered him. The bodycam footage, released more than two months later, shows the rapid sequence of events that ended with both Lindo and Valdes dead from police gunfire.
The Miami Police Department declined to comment to WTVJ-TV, citing the pending litigation.
