MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Video obtained by Local 10 News Tuesday shows the aftermath of a police chase that authorities say ended with a Miami-Dade detective fatally shooting a carjacking suspect in September 2023.
The video was released just weeks after the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office announced it would not pursue charges against the detective involved.
Authorities said the incident began when a security guard was carjacked at gunpoint inside a Brickell parking garage.
Detectives later spotted the stolen vehicle on Northwest 32nd Avenue, sparking a pursuit.
During the chase, investigators said shots were fired from the vehicle at officers. The pursuit ended when a detective rammed the suspects’ car near Northwest 12th Avenue and 23rd Street, forcing it to a stop.
Surveillance and body camera video show the detective pointing his weapon at 24-year-old Nicolas “Chile” Avila Herrera as he exited the passenger side of the vehicle.
The detective is heard shouting “show me your hands” before firing a single round that struck Avila Herrera in the chest. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Two other suspects, identified as Adonay Rodriguez, then 37, and Rolando Aquabella, then 27, were arrested at the scene, according to investigators.
Rodriguez, who was born in Cuba and lived in Miami’s West Little River area — was wanted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — and had a suspended driver’s license, records show. He was with Avila Herrera, who was wearing a GPS ankle monitor since he was on probation, police said.
Prosecutors said video evidence suggested Avila Herrera may have been raising his arms when he was shot.
“There is insufficient information to make a clear determination why the Detective discharged his weapon, and therefore determine the shooting was legally justified,” the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office wrote in a closeout memo. “Likewise, because of a lack of information, there is also insufficient evidence to file any criminal charges against the Detective that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
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