Woman holding toy gun taken into custody after confrontation with officer

Taser deployed during takedown; police say woman not stunned

MIAMI – A woman who was carrying a toy gun outside the Miami courthouse was taken into custody after a confrontation with a police officer.

The incident happened Friday morning outside the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami.

A hot dog vendor who works outside the courthouse told Local 10 News reporter Liane Morejon that the woman had been walking around and pointing the toy gun at the police car and at him shortly before the confrontation.

Local 10's camera was rolling as Miami-Dade police Officer Yolanda Everett pointed her Taser at the woman, who was ignoring the officer's commands to get on the ground.

The woman, identified as Indira Maricela Pedemonte-Elhimany, had already dropped the toy gun and put her cellphone on the ground when another officer took her down from behind.

During the takedown, the officer's Taser could be heard, but Miami-Dade police said the woman wasn't stunned.

A plastic toy gun with an orange tip could be seen on the ground.

Pedemonte-Elhimany was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.


About the Authors:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.