WPTV heard from the family of a Miami Gardens police officer shot Friday morning. Officer David Starling lives in West Palm Beach and is now recovering in the hospital. His sister says he had to undergo surgery after the shooting, but is pushing through.
It's the call Karen Broughton of Orange Park has been dreading since her brother became a police officer.
"That's just something that's always in the back of your head and when my sister-in-law called me it just completely floored me. This finally happened, thank God you know it wasn't tragic," said Broughton during a phone interview.
Miami Gardens police say Friday morning 8-year veteran officer David Starling was finishing up a report in his patrol car when David Andres Mejia, 24, drove up in a black BMW SUV and ambushed the officer, firing at him several times.
"Supposedly the guy unloaded his gun on him on the car at least and luckily he was pointing low enough that it didn't do worst damage than it did," said Broughton.
Looking at the number of bullet holes, it's a miracle officer Starling was only hit once. Even after getting shot, the officer tried to pursue Mejia and called in for back up. Police say Mejia kept firing at officers after him, but then crashed and was arrested. Broughton says support for her brother is pouring in from all over.
"We just want to extend our prayers and support to Officer Starling," said Michelle Cook, Director of Personnel and Professional Standards at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Officer Starling is from Jacksonville and worked with the sheriff's office there for 10 years. Broughton says law enforcement runs in the family and she doesn't doubt her brother will be back in uniform once he recovers.
"Buddy is tough as nails and I don't see him, I thought about it this afternoon if he would, but I think he's so tough that he's going to push forward with it," added Broughton.
The suspect is facing five counts of attempted murder of a police officer among other charges. The Miami Gardens Police Department says none of its officers fired a shot during the incident.
