Victim in North Miami Beach police shooting testifies

Elton Bandoo accused of shooting Officer Lino Diaz

MIAMI – A man accused of shooting a North Miami Beach police officer last month was back in court Monday for a status hearing.

Police said Elton Bandoo shot Officer Lino Diaz as the officer tried to serve a warrant relating to an ongoing federal investigation involving fraud.

The shooting happened Feb. 6 at a home at 16033 NE Eighth Ave.

One of the detectives who witnessed the shooting, Detective Craig Catlin, took the stand Monday. Catlin has worked for the North Miami Beach Police Department for 18 years and works with the street crimes unit. He also doubles as a federal agent and focuses on stolen identity cases.

Catlin was in charge of serving the warrant and said he called on a special response team for protection because he knew they were going into a dangerous situation.

One of the key pieces of evidence in the case is a YouTube rap video in which Bandoo talks about "pulling out the stick," referring to weapons.

Catlin testified that Bandoo is in the video and that the video was shot inside the residence where the officer was shot.

He also discussed what authorities were searching for the day of the shooting, stating that detectives found several sheets of paper with names, Social Security numbers and date of births for about 200 people. He said they also found a notebook with 700 to 1,000 names and Social Security numbers.

Catlin spoke about the rap video, but Bandoo's attorney reminded the court of his client's first amendment rights.

Diaz also took the stand, testifying that he heard two gunshots and then felt two impacts.

He told Local 10 News that he was "feeling much better" and planned to get back to work soon.

Bandoo is charged with attempted first-degree murder on a law enforcement officer. He has remained at the Turnerd Guilford Knight Correctional Center without bond since the shooting.

A judge has not decided whether to release Bandoo on bond at this time.

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About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.