Kristofer Lazaro Laboy Obituary, Death – Authorities have identified the man who was fatally shot by a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s deputy following an attempted traffic stop that escalated on Tuesday. According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when deputies from the Robbery Intervention Detail attempted to pull over a yellow Corvette due to its illegal dark window tints. The attempted stop occurred near the intersection of Northwest 62nd Street and 22nd Avenue.
Instead of stopping, the driver accelerated and fled the scene. Deputies then deployed aerial support to track the fleeing vehicle, which eventually came to a stop at a dead-end in an apartment complex located near Northwest 85th Street and 4th Court.
Officials reported that after exiting the vehicle, the man was armed and approached the deputies’ vehicle in what they described as an aggressive manner. At that point, one of the deputies discharged his weapon, striking the man. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
The deceased was identified on Wednesday as 24-year-old Kristofer Lazaro Laboy, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), which has taken over the investigation into the shooting.
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Argemis Colome addressed the media, stating that the incident could have had a much less tragic outcome. “This could have just been a citation and everyone would have gone home,” Colome said. He emphasized that while none of the deputies were harmed, the situation had the potential to escalate even further.
Authorities have not confirmed whether Laboy pointed or discharged his firearm at deputies, but they did confirm that a weapon was found at the scene.
The deputy involved in the shooting was identified as Kelvin Cox, a veteran officer with 23 years of service in the department. As per standard protocol following officer-involved shootings, Cox has been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation proceeds.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now handling the case to ensure a thorough and impartial review of the events. The shooting raises questions about use of force and protocol during high-risk encounters, especially when suspects flee from routine traffic stops.
As the investigation continues, officials are gathering evidence from the scene, including video footage, witness statements, and forensic analysis, to determine the exact sequence of events and whether the use of deadly force was justified under the circumstances.
The case remains active, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available. In the meantime, community members and authorities alike await the findings of the FDLE’s investigation to understand more about the deadly outcome of what began as a routine traffic enforcement effort.
