Three Men Wounded in Early-Morning Exchange of Gunfire During Attempted Robbery in Northwest Miami-Dade

What investigators say happened

Three adult men were hospitalized after an exchange of gunfire during what authorities described as an attempted robbery in northwest Miami-Dade early Monday, February 16, 2026. The incident unfolded around 4 a.m. near the intersection of Northwest 19th Avenue and Northwest 79th Street, a corridor that includes residential blocks and nearby commercial properties.

Deputies were dispatched after a ShotSpotter alert indicated gunfire in the area. When first responders arrived, they found three men with apparent gunshot wounds. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported all three to a local hospital for treatment. Officials did not release the men’s identities or detail the severity of their injuries as of Monday morning.

Attempted robbery narrative and investigative handoff

Based on preliminary findings, investigators believe the shooting occurred when two men attempted to rob a security guard and gunfire was exchanged. Authorities said the security guard and the suspected robbers were all struck during the encounter. The sequence of shots, who fired first, and whether any additional individuals were involved have not been publicly detailed.

The investigation was taken over by robbery detectives, reflecting the working theory that the shooting was directly tied to an attempted theft rather than an unrelated dispute. Police have not said whether any arrests were made or whether weapons were recovered at the scene.

What remains unknown

Authorities have not disclosed:

• the specific location the security guard was assigned to or whether the guard was armed as part of the job,
• the number of shots fired or the caliber of any firearm involved,
• the medical condition of each wounded person,
• whether surveillance video captured the incident,
• whether the suspected robbers fled before collapsing or were located at the scene.

Why ShotSpotter alerts matter in fast-moving cases

ShotSpotter is designed to detect and triangulate potential gunfire, enabling rapid dispatch even when 911 calls are delayed or incomplete. In cases involving attempted robberies and brief exchanges of gunfire, the technology can provide early location data that helps deputies secure an area and locate victims quickly. Investigators can also use timestamps and mapped detections as one piece of a larger evidentiary picture alongside witness statements, physical evidence, and any video.

Investigators emphasized the information released Monday was preliminary and subject to change as detectives confirm details and gather evidence.

The case remained active Monday, with robbery detectives continuing to interview witnesses and review any available evidence to determine criminal responsibility and the circumstances that led to the shooting.