Miami Police Officer Cleared in 2023 Fatal Shooting

New bodycam video shows officer acted legally in killing 20-year-old Arnicious Xavier Odom, Jr.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office has determined that a Miami police officer was legally justified in the 2023 fatal shooting of 20-year-old Arnicious Xavier Odom, Jr. New bodycam footage shows the officer, Det. Sthephany Canizares, ordering Odom not to pick up a gun he had thrown over a fence, but Odom went to retrieve it, leading Canizares to shoot and kill him.

Why it matters

The case has raised questions from Odom's mother about whether lethal force was necessary, given that Odom was fleeing and not directly threatening the officers. The incident also highlights ongoing debates around police use of force, particularly in encounters with young Black men.

The details

According to the state attorney's close-out memo, Odom and another man were seen jaywalking while wearing ski masks and hoodies. When a detective approached, the other man was found with a loaded gun, but Odom fled on foot, leading to a pursuit. The bodycam footage shows Canizares ordering Odom not to pick up the gun he had thrown over a fence, but Odom went to retrieve it, at which point Canizares shot and killed him.

  • The incident occurred on October 11, 2023.
  • The state attorney's office released its close-out memo on February 3, 2026, clearing the officer of wrongdoing.

The players

Arnicious Xavier Odom, Jr.

A 20-year-old man who was fatally shot by a Miami police officer in 2023.

Det. Sthephany Canizares

The Miami police officer who shot and killed Arnicious Xavier Odom, Jr. in 2023, and was later cleared of wrongdoing by the state attorney's office.

Antionette Jones

The mother of Arnicious Xavier Odom, Jr., who questioned whether lethal force was necessary in the incident.

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What they’re saying

“Witnesses out there said that my baby was running across the field and collapsed. If he was running from you, what harm can he do to you? What can he do? Why didn't you tase him?”

— Antionette Jones, Mother of Arnicious Xavier Odom, Jr. (NBC6)

What’s next

The Miami Police Department and the city's community leaders are expected to continue discussions around use-of-force policies and de-escalation training in the wake of this incident.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and communities of color, as well as the need for greater transparency and accountability in police-involved shootings. While the officer was cleared of wrongdoing, the incident has raised further questions about the appropriate use of force and the need for more de-escalation tactics in policing.