Miami-Dade County – A newly released body camera video shows the tense final moments of a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office response to an armed carjacking that ended with a deputy firing one shot and a suspect being wounded in a Homestead backyard.
Authorities say the incident began on November 3, 2025, after a woman was carjacked at gunpoint near Southwest 279th Street and Southwest 127th Avenue in southwest Miami-Dade. Investigators say three masked suspects approached her while she sat in her black Chevrolet Tahoe. The victim ran to a nearby business for help while the suspects drove off in the vehicle.
Deputies later located the stolen Tahoe in a residential area in Homestead, and the suspects fled on foot, according to the sheriff’s office and local reporting. The body camera footage shows a deputy chasing a suspect behind homes while giving loud commands to show hands. Moments later, the deputy fired a single round, and the suspect was seen on the ground inside a fenced backyard.
Officials identified the wounded suspect as 18-year-old Stephan Jones. Authorities said he was treated at the scene, including the use of a tourniquet, before he was taken to the hospital in stable condition. Investigators said the suspect was armed with an assault style rifle.
Two additional suspects were taken into custody in connection with the carjacking and chase, including 18-year-old Tyquawn Davis and a 16-year-old. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the deputy-involved shooting.
Field Lessons are offered strictly as general, industry-standard reminders drawn from common safety practices and typical policy considerations. They are not based on any inside knowledge of this specific incident, do not presume what actions were taken, and should not be interpreted as commentary on the decisions made at the scene.
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Treat armed carjacking calls as violent felony in progress with a high likelihood of weapons and multiple suspects.
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Build containment early when possible, especially in residential grids where foot pursuits funnel into backyards and alleys.
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Use clear, repeated commands and give simple choices, and recognize that visual confirmation of hands is a major decision point.
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During backyard searches, slow down enough to keep distance, angles, and cover, rather than outrunning your ability to assess hands and waistband.
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If a suspect is down, transition immediately to cuffing considerations, medical aid, and scene security while maintaining awareness of additional suspects.
Dr. Travis Yates has pioneered a behavioral risk framework to help officers and leaders identify, assess, and articulate risk in rapidly evolving, uncertain situations. Find out more about the FOCUS Behavioral Risk Framework.
