Miami Beach Deputy Fatally Shoots Armed 17 Year Old During Search Warrant, FDLE Investigating
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — A Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy fatally shot a 17 year old during the execution of a search warrant at a Miami Beach apartment early Thursday morning after investigators say the teen confronted members of the agency’s Special Response Team while armed with a handgun equipped with an extended magazine.
The shooting occurred in a quiet residential neighborhood of small apartment buildings as deputies executed a search warrant related to an illegal firearms investigation involving two teenagers. According to Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, members of the Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT) repeatedly identified themselves and knocked on the apartment door before making entry to serve the warrant.
Once inside, investigators say a 17 year old later identified by his mother as Darell Young emerged from a bedroom carrying a handgun. An SRT deputy opened fire, striking the teen. Young was pronounced dead at the scene. A second individual, identified as an 18 year old believed to have been inside the apartment during the operation, was taken into custody without further incident.
Search Warrant Stemmed From Illegal Firearms Investigation
Authorities said the warrant was part of an ongoing investigation into allegations that the two teenagers were illegally possessing firearms. Following the shooting, investigators recovered what officials described as a handgun fitted with an extended magazine that they say Young was holding during the confrontation with deputies.
Sheriff Cordero-Stutz said Young had an extensive criminal history despite his age, describing him as a documented gang member who had previously been charged with attempted murder and possession of a stolen police officer’s firearm. The sheriff also said the teen was on probation and was allegedly committing felony violations at the time of the shooting. The criminal charges referenced by the sheriff remain allegations unless proven in court.
Mother Says Son Was Trying to Turn His Life Around
Young’s mother, Ivonne Warner, identified her son and acknowledged he had struggled with legal troubles in the past.
“He ain’t no saint,” Warner said, while maintaining her son had recently begun turning his life around.
According to Warner, Young had recently returned home from boot camp, was wearing two court Cordered ankle monitors, and was preparing to begin school on Aug. 13. She said she was working an overnight shift when the shooting occurred and returned home to find blood throughout the apartment. Warner questioned whether deadly force was necessary and said the second person taken into custody was her son’s best friend.
FDLE Conducting Independent Investigation
As is standard protocol in deputy-involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has launched an independent investigation into the use of deadly force. Once completed, investigators will submit their findings to the appropriate prosecutorial authorities for review. Authorities have not released the identity of the deputy involved, and no deputies were reported injured during the incident. The investigation remains active.
