Security guard killed in gunfight at Florida bar

A gunfight at a Miami bar on Saturday left two people dead and seven injured.

Investigators said a fight between customers broke out about 3:30 a.m. at the Martini Bar in the CityPlace Doral development in Doral, Florida.

When a security guard intervened, an unnamed man took out a gun and shot the guard, killing him, Miami-Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said.

Two Doral police officers who were also providing security returned fire, with one of them killing the shooter. One of the officers, a four-year veteran of the force, was shot in the thigh and applied a tourniquet to himself, Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez told reporters. “Even after he discharged his firearm, the extensive training that our police officers undergo is a testament to why that officer is alive today,” Lopez said.

Six other bystanders were also hit by gunfire — four men and two women, officials said.

The wounded officer was discharged from hospital, WTVJTV reported. The six bystanders remained in hospital, with two in critical condition, Zabaleta said.

The mixed-use development includes shops, with apartments above some of the stores. A resident of a nearby apartment told WPLG-TV that he heard a hail of gunfire. “Around 3:15 or 3:30 in the morning, I heard three initial gunshots,” said William Suedois. “Didn’t really know where it was coming from. I thought it was fireworks. Then I heard probably 10 or 15 directly after that — very, very fast and very loud. It was very scary.”

Zabaleta said it’s “way too early to know” who shot who. Lopez later told the Miami Herald

that the two officers and the initial assailant were the only ones with guns.

Investigators said Saturday they could not yet say why the fight broke out. Officers interviewed witnesses at the bar well into Saturday morning.