Doorbell Camera Footage Captures Police Mistake Before Fatal Shooting of Ivan Clark
A Miami Gardens doorbell camera recorded police officers mistakenly entering a neighbor’s home with guns drawn moments before they fatally shot 33-year-old Ivan Clark at a nearby residence. The incident occurred on Friday, January 23, near Northwest 182nd Street and 35th Avenue, after family members called 911 seeking assistance for Clark, who was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis.
Video footage obtained by local news outlets shows officers surging through the residential neighborhood and entering the wrong house. The homeowner, whose face was not shown, stated that police entered with weapons drawn, prompting him to shout that they were at the incorrect address. Shortly after the officers exited the neighbor’s home to locate the correct property, the camera’s audio captured a rapid succession of gunfire. Witnesses in the area estimated hearing between three and twelve shots.
Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt stated that when officers arrived at the correct location, they encountered Clark in the backyard. According to the police account, officers observed a firearm in Clark’s possession and discharged their weapons because they believed another individual on the scene was in imminent danger. The department has not specified how many officers fired or the exact nature of the threat presented.
Family members dispute the necessity of the lethal force, emphasizing that the initial call was a request for medical intervention under the Baker Act, not a report of a crime. Melinda Clark, the victim’s mother, told reporters she called for help because her son was having a non-violent mental health episode and she wanted him hospitalized, not harmed. She stated that her son had never been violent toward his family and expressed devastation that a call for aid resulted in his death.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has assumed control of the investigation, a standard procedure for officer-involved shootings in the state. Investigators are currently reviewing the doorbell video, body-worn camera footage, and physical evidence to determine if the use of force was justified. No officers have been publicly identified pending the outcome of the inquiry.
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