Woman 'in shock' after police chase ends in crash, shooting

MIAMI – A South Florida woman told Local 10 News on Tuesday that she is still in shock, a day after she was injured in a crash that resulted in a police-involved shooting.

"I was very shocked. I'm still in shock," she said.

The 35-year-old woman, who did not want to be identified, told Local 10 News reporter Michael Seiden that she was driving her 9-year-old son and 10-year-old cousin to football practice when they were struck by a car in southwest Miami-Dade.

"He (my son) has a laceration on his lips, causing him to get stitches; two of his front teeth are chipped, his nose is fractured," she said. "I have a fractured wrist and leg, and my little cousin has a broken arm."

According to an arrest report, officers in an unmarked pickup truck saw a black 2005 Honda Accord speeding and failing to stop for traffic signals in a neighborhood near Southwest 268th Street and Southwest 134th Avenue.

Miami-Dade police spokeswoman Jennifer Capote said officers attempted to pull over the car, but the driver would not stop, and a chase ensued.

Police said the vehicle eventually crashed into a 2015 Chrysler 200 with the woman and boys inside.

"All I remember was blood, my son screaming, my little cousin screaming and then guns drawn, and that's all I remember," the woman said. 

Police said the culprits fled from the vehicle and one of the suspects, Dandre Gaspard, 21, fired at the officers.

"First thing that came to my mind was drag them out of the car like I did and run for cover," the woman said. 

According to the arrest report, at least one officer returned fire. No one was struck.

Police said Gaspard was found nearby and spontaneously told officers that he had a gun on him. Police said Gaspard was armed with a 9-mm Glock pistol and an extended magazine.

Gaspard confessed to being the passenger in the Honda who fired at officers and to fleeing from the crash, detectives said.

He faces charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, carrying a concealed firearm and resisting an officer with violence.

Police said another person was taken into custody but released after speaking to detectives.

One person remains on the loose.

The woman and children were taken to Homestead Hospital to be treated for their injuries.

Anyone with further information about the incident is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.