Manslaughter Charges Filed Against Officers in 2019 Shootout Incident

Four law enforcement officers—Jose Mateo, Richard Santiesteban, Rodolfo Mirabal, and Leslie Lee—are facing manslaughter charges stemming from a 2019 shootout on Miramar Parkway that resulted in the deaths of UPS driver Frank Ordonez, the two robbers who hijacked him, and a nearby motorist. This case is notable as it is uncommon for a grand jury to indict police officers. The officers were arraigned on Monday, entering not guilty pleas, with a trial date set for February 17. The incident began when cousins Lamar Alexander and Ronnie Jerome Hill robbed the Regent Jewelers store in Coral Gables, triggering a police response after a silent alarm was activated. The robbers engaged in a dangerous high-speed chase through southern Broward, disregarding traffic signals and narrowly avoiding collisions. The situation escalated when the UPS van, driven by Ordonez, became a focal point of the gunfire, with its doors ajar, allowing for a chaotic exchange of bullets. As the chase concluded, the UPS van was halted in traffic on Miramar Parkway, where it was caught behind a line of vehicles. Tragically, Richard Cutshaw was killed by a stray bullet during the crossfire. Nearly 200 rounds were exchanged between the officers and the suspects, raising questions about the officers' actions during the incident. Defense attorney Stahl emphasized that the responsibility lies solely with Alexander and Hill, who endangered lives by kidnapping Ordonez.