Kristofer Lazaro Laboy dies in fatal Miami-Dade County shooting
Fatal Miami-Dade County shooting death of Kristofer Lazaro Laboy
Kristofer Lazaro Laboy, a 24-year-old identified by authorities, met his demise following an alleged traffic stop initiated by a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s deputy. The incident unfolded after deputies observed a yellow Corvette with illegal window darkening.
The altercation commenced on June 17th near Northwest 62nd Street and 22nd Avenue. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Laboy failed to comply with the traffic stop command and fled the scene. The vehicle ultimately reached a cul-de-sac on Northwest 85th Street and Northwest 4th Court. Upon exiting the car, authorities reported that Laboy approached the deputies while armed. In response, a deputy discharged their weapon, resulting in Laboy’s death.
Laboy’s family vehemently contests this narrative, asserting that the deputies involved did not identify themselves before the shooting. His girlfriend expressed profound grief, stating, “Kristofer would have never done anything like that… if he had known it was a police car chasing him, with his concealed carry permit, there would have been no reason to flee.”
The family believes Laboy’s actions stemmed from confusion and fear. They maintain that he called his father, fearing pursuit, believing the approaching vehicle was private. Their viewing, held recently, drew significant community support. A family member noted, “We’re not doing this only for him… we want it to keep going forward. We don’t want anyone to forget.”
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office identified the involved deputy as Kelvin Cox, an experienced officer with the department. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation into the incident. Cox, whose employment is on administrative leave, has been linked to at least two previous fatal shootings, though both were deemed justified by legal review.
The Laboy family has established social media channels to gather testimony and video evidence from the public. They aim to amplify their voice and prevent similar incidents, ensuring their son’s memory remains relevant. “We have to be his voice,” a family representative stated, emphasizing their commitment to justice.
