Miami police kill naked man found eating another man’s face

MIAMI -- A man was shot to death by Miami police, and another man is fighting for his life after his face was half eaten by a naked man, police said.

The horror began about 2 p.m. Saturday when of gunshots were heard on an off-ramp of the MacArthur Causeway.

According to police sources, a roadside-assistance truck driver saw a naked man chewing on another man’s face and shouted on his loudspeaker for him to back away. A woman also saw the incident and flagged down a police officer.

The officer, who has not been identified, approached and, seeing what was happening, also ordered the naked man to back away. When he continued the assault, the officer shot him, police sources said. The attacker did not stop after being shot and the officer continued to shoot, killing the naked man.

The other man was transported to the hospital with critical injuries, according to police. Their identities were not released.

In a text message, Javier Ortiz, spokesman for Miami police’s Fraternal Order of Police, said the officer who fired the fatal shots was “a hero.”

“Based on the information provided, our Miami police officer is a hero and saved a life,” he said.

Sergeant Altarr Williams, supervisor of Miami police’s Homicide Unit, said a man doesn’t have to be armed to be dangerous.

“There are other ways to injure people,” Williams said. “Some people know martial arts, others are very strong and can kill you with their hands.”

Investigators believe the victim may have been homeless and was on the ground when the crazed man pounced.

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Miami Herald writers Alexandra Leon and Curtis Morgan contributed to this report.