Backpack detonated after man attacks dog, threatens to blow himself up

Police, bomb squad called to Brickell

MIAMI – The bomb squad was called to Miami's Brickell neighborhood Tuesday morning after a man who attacked a woman's dog threatened to blow himself up, police said.

Sky 10 was above the Mark on Brickell condominium building, 1155 Brickell Bay Drive, as a police robot inspected a backpack near the water.

Miami police said a woman was walking her dog in the area when a man started making threats and began to hit her dog several times.

"And then he decided to make personal threats on himself to blow himself up," Miami police Officer Frederica Burden said.

Several people saw the commotion and called police.

Burden said the man didn't struggle when police asked him to drop his backpack.

The backpack was later detonated. Its contents were just personal belongings.

Burden said the man was taken into custody and will undergo a mental health evaluation.

"Hopefully he can get the help that he needs," she said.


About the Author:

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