Judge Clears Officer in 2019 UPS Shootout Under Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' Law

Officer Cleared in 2019 Shootout

• ⚖️ A judge has dropped the manslaughter charge against suspended Miami-Dade deputy Jose Matteo.
• 🎯 The ruling was based on Florida's stand your ground law, stating Matteo's actions were justified.
• ⚠️ Matteo was one of four officers indicted in a 2019 shootout that resulted in the deaths of two innocent victims.

The 2019 UPS Shootout Incident

• 🗓️ The incident began on December 5th, 2019, when two suspects attempted to rob a jewelry store.
• 🚗 The suspects then hijacked a UPS truck driven by Frank Ordonez, leading to a chase.
• 💥 The chase ended in a hail of gunfire at Miramar Parkway and Flamingo Road, with a total of 220 rounds fired by officers.

Victims and Legal Proceedings

• 🕊️ Frank Ordonez, the UPS employee, and Rick Cutshaw, another innocent victim, died in the shooting.
• 🚫 The judge found that prosecutors failed to establish that Matteo's use of force was unreasonable or unjustified.
• 🔄 The Broward State's Attorney's Office plans to appeal the ruling, stating that two innocent men were killed and bystanders endangered.
• ➡️ Cases against the other three officers involved will move forward while the appeal is pending.