Birthday Celebration Turns Tragic as Innocent Woman Killed in Miami Police Shootout

Evelyn Valdes, 28, was celebrating her birthday when she was caught in the crossfire between police and an armed subject

A young woman celebrating her 28th birthday was killed early Saturday morning after being caught in the crossfire between police and an armed man in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, authorities confirmed.

Evelyn Valdes, 28, was driving near Northwest First Place and 23rd Street around 3:05 a.m. when she was fatally struck by gunfire. According to Miami Police, officers responded to reports of a disturbance in the area when they encountered a man who was allegedly armed.

“It was some sort of commotion. Officers observed a male, who was armed. Subsequently, several officers discharged their firearms,” said Miami Police Officer Michael Vega.

Northwest First Place and 23rd Street in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood

The armed man was identified as 30-year-old Norman Lindo Jr. Authorities have not yet determined who fired the first shot, but confirmed that multiple officers discharged their weapons during the confrontation.

Witnesses at the scene reported hearing police giving repeated commands to Lindo before the exchange of gunfire. One witness, who did not want to be identified, said Lindo had been ejected from a nearby club shortly before the shooting. “I just heard a lot of gunshots, about 10 gunshots firing back and forth,” said another witness. A third individual reported that a club manager was also injured, suffering a gunshot wound to the hand from a stray bullet.

Evelyn Valdes

Both Lindo and Valdes were transported to Ryder Trauma Center, where they were later pronounced dead. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation, as is standard protocol in police-involved shootings.

Valdes’ family has described her as a kind, warm-hearted woman who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. In a GoFundMe post, her mother wrote, “She was not the intended target, just an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.” The post also expressed the heartbreak of losing Evelyn just days after her birthday: “What should have been the beginning of a joyful new chapter has become an unimaginable tragedy for her family, friends, and everyone who knew and loved her.”

Norman Lindo Jr., 30. Authorities said Lindo had a gun

Valdes' family has retained legal counsel and said a formal statement will be released in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Norman Lindo Jr.’s father mourned his son on social media, posting a photo of the two with the caption, “Rest in peace, my beloved son, Norman.”

Authorities say the investigation remains active, with many witnesses still being interviewed to determine the full circumstances that led to the fatal shooting.