Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez has been hospitalized in the Tampa area following a self-inflicted gunshot wound along Interstate 75, WPLG reports.
Reportedly, Ramirez’s wife, Jody, was in the car with him just prior to the incident.
Ramirez was in Tampa attending the Sheriff’s Summer Conference, held at the JW Marriott in downtown Tampa. The incident occurred on Sunday evening.
According to WPLG, an eyewitness saw Ramirez and his wife outside the hotel around 6:30 p.m., engaged in a heated argument. During the altercation, the witness claimed to have seen Ramirez putting a gun to his mouth, prompting them to call 911.
Upon the arrival of Tampa police, the witness had left, and both Ramirez and his wife denied any wrongdoing.
Tampa police released a statement indicating that they made contact with Ramirez and the “white female” he was with on the 12th floor of the hotel at 6:50 p.m. Ramirez and his wife acknowledged the argument but denied displaying a gun.
“After further questioning, Ramirez stated he had no intention of harming himself or others,” the news release stated. “The known female corroborated that they had an argument and that she did not have any concerns about her safety being in danger.”
The hotel’s surveillance cameras did not capture the incident between the couple.
Shortly after, Ramirez and his wife were asked to leave the hotel. Later on, Ramirez stopped off on I-75 in the Riverview area of Hillsborough County, where he shot himself in the head.
WPLG reported the self-inflicted gunshot wound entered through his right temple and exited through his right eye. Ramirez was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he was expected to survive.
The Miami-Dade Police Department released a statement on Monday morning, stating that the 52-year-old police director underwent surgery and is currently in “critical but stable condition.”
“We are asking for everyone to continue to keep him and his family in your prayers during this difficult time,” the statement read.
Later in the day, the police department confirmed that Ramirez is undergoing another surgery for his injuries.
News by Breaking911
