A state trooper was hospitalized with stab wounds after a violent confrontation during a traffic-related investigation in Miami-Dade.
MIAMI, FL — A Florida Highway Patrol trooper shot and critically wounded a woman Saturday afternoon after she allegedly stabbed him during a confrontation on the shoulder of a busy highway. The incident occurred near the entrance to a major transit artery, drawing a massive law enforcement response.
The shooting triggered an immediate investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which is standard protocol for all discharge of service weapons by state officers. Both the unidentified woman and the trooper were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. The trooper remains in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries, while the suspect is listed in critical but stable condition as investigators work to determine the events leading up to the physical struggle.
The encounter began at approximately 12:15 p.m. on March 7 when the trooper stopped to investigate a report of a pedestrian or a disabled vehicle near the highway ramp. According to preliminary reports from the scene, the interaction turned violent within minutes of the trooper exiting his patrol vehicle. Witness accounts suggest a brief verbal exchange preceded the physical fight. “The subject produced a sharp object and struck the officer multiple times,” said FHP spokesperson Lt. Alex Camacho during a brief press conference held near the cordoned-off scene. The trooper then drew his firearm and discharged at least two rounds, striking the woman in the torso and ending the assault.
State investigators recovered a knife at the scene, which has been entered into evidence as the suspected weapon used against the officer. Crime scene technicians spent several hours photographing a silver sedan parked nearby and marking the location of shell casings scattered across the pavement. Officials have not yet released the name of the woman involved, pending a formal review of her identification and notification of her next of kin. Traffic in the northbound lanes was diverted for over four hours as investigators moved between the patrol car and the area where the suspect was apprehended, causing significant delays throughout the metropolitan area.
This incident follows a series of recent roadside safety initiatives by the Florida Highway Patrol aimed at reducing pedestrian-related accidents on high-speed roads. Records show that Miami-Dade County has seen a 12% increase in reported roadside confrontations involving law enforcement over the past calendar year. Agency data indicates that troopers are frequently exposed to high-risk situations when checking on abandoned vehicles or individuals walking along highway shoulders. Local officials noted that while most interactions are routine, the proximity to moving traffic and the unpredictable nature of roadside stops create a volatile environment for both officers and the public.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will lead the primary investigation into the use of force, while the Florida Highway Patrol conducts a separate internal administrative review. Prosecutors from the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office were also present at the scene, a routine step to ensure all legal requirements are met during the evidence collection phase. No formal charges have been filed yet, but officials indicated that the woman faces multiple counts, including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. A preliminary report is expected to be released within the next 30 days, following the completion of witness interviews and forensic analysis of the officer’s body-worn camera footage.
By late Saturday afternoon, the scene remained active with several marked units and a mobile command center stationed near the off-ramp. Passersby reported seeing the trooper being loaded into an ambulance while conscious and alert. “He was defending himself in a situation that escalated in seconds,” noted a fellow officer who arrived shortly after the shots were fired. The Florida Highway Patrol has placed the involved trooper on paid administrative leave, which is the standard procedure during any investigation into an officer-involved shooting. Law enforcement personnel remained at the hospital throughout the evening to monitor the status of their colleague and secure the suspect’s room.
The investigation remains in its early stages as detectives wait for medical clearance to interview the woman involved. The northbound lanes of the highway have since reopened to regular traffic flow. Updates on the trooper’s recovery and the suspect’s legal status are expected following a scheduled Monday morning briefing.
Author note: Last updated March 7, 2026.