Authorities in Miami-Dade County have released bodycam footage capturing a police raid on December 2, 2025, at a home in the county's southwest, where 21-year-old Cuban national Christopher Barata was fatally shot.
The operation, led by the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, was part of an investigation related to child pornography possession and distribution involving his brother, Cristian Barata, aged 25.
The raid occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. on December 2, at a residence near the intersection of Southwest 155th Street and Southwest 102nd Avenue in the Palmetto Estates area.
Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) officers, working alongside the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, utilized a long-range acoustic device to announce the search warrant and urged the home's occupants to exit.
The bodycam video released by law enforcement shows officers knocking on the door and issuing verbal commands.
Subsequently, three individuals, including a man, two women, and a child, exited the premises, all seemingly compliant.
Shortly thereafter, the footage depicts a young man running inside the house with a gun in hand.
Two officers discharged their service weapons, critically injuring the man. The individual was identified as Christopher Barata, who was pronounced dead at the scene, as confirmed by authorities.
The Official Account vs. Family's Perspective
According to the Sheriff's Office, officers were "confronted by an armed individual" and were compelled to open fire.
They added that medical assistance was provided to the wounded after the shooting, but he was declared dead at the scene. No officers were injured.
County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz stated that the officers "were confronted by an armed individual and were forced to shoot."
Christopher Barata's death was deemed a justified police intervention, although the Florida Department of Law Enforcement initiated an independent investigation, as is customary in such incidents.
Investigation Targeted Cristian Barata
The raid's primary target was Cristian Barata, the deceased's brother, who is seen in the footage emerging from a room with his hands raised after his brother had already been shot.
According to the arrest report, the case began in October 2024 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received several cyber alerts from an electronic service provider regarding the upload of videos containing child sexual abuse material.
Based on these alerts, the Internet Crimes Against Children unit of the MDSO confirmed that the accounts belonged to Cristian Barata.
A total of 11 cyber reports were connected to his activity, the most recent dated September 2025.
The confiscated material included images of minors, some as young as three years old.
Cristian Barata was arrested the same day following the shooting, with his hands up, repeatedly asking, “What is happening? What is happening?” as heard in the police recording.
He currently faces 25 charges: 15 for possessing sexual depictions of minors and 10 for promoting or attempting to promote sexual acts involving minors.
A bail of $87,500 was set, and he was transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Family's Outcry: "He Was Killed Without Just Cause"
The Barata family has vehemently challenged the officers' actions during the operation.
Judy Rodríguez, the Barata brothers' mother, tearfully told local media, “They killed my son... they should have handled it differently.”
She insisted there were "no weapons" in their home and expressed disbelief in the official account: "They can say what they want... They will have to prove it."
Rodríguez stated that both sons worked for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and that Christopher had aspirations of joining the U.S. Army.
“He was only 21,” she lamented. Regarding Cristian, she described him as a hardworking young man and a good son: “He's a good kid who worked at the airport with the TSA, like his brother.”
Christopher's stepfather, Israel López, also questioned the police narrative.
“We're shocked; we won't believe it until they prove otherwise; we believe he's innocent,” he commented.
López doubted the shooting's context: “In the video, you see those on the sidewalk staying calm. If someone is shooting at you, you wouldn’t just stand there.”
The TSA confirmed both brothers were employed by the federal agency. They released a statement indicating Cristian Barata was suspended from duty and had his access to all secure airport areas revoked immediately while the legal process unfolded.
Understanding the Miami-Dade Police Raid Incident
What led to the police raid in Miami-Dade?
The raid was initiated as part of an investigation into child pornography possession and distribution involving Cristian Barata.
How did Christopher Barata die during the raid?
Christopher Barata was shot and killed by officers after allegedly confronting them with a gun during the raid.
What charges is Cristian Barata facing?
Cristian Barata is facing 25 charges, including 15 for possessing sexual depictions of minors and 10 for promoting or attempting to promote sexual acts involving minors.
How has the Barata family responded to the incident?
The Barata family has disputed the police account, claiming Christopher was killed unjustly and questioning the presence of weapons in their home.