Officer Yandy Chirino, 28, of the Hollywood Police Department was killed on October 17, 2021, while responding to reports of a suspicious person attempting to break into cars in the Emerald Hills neighborhood. During an attempted detention, 18-year-old Jason Banegas produced a stolen semi-automatic handgun and shot Chirino in the face. Chirino was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Banegas was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree murder with a firearm, armed burglary of a dwelling, two counts of attempted burglary of a conveyance, possession of a firearm, resisting an officer with violence, and battery on a law enforcement officer. Banegas reportedly told authorities he was trying to kill himself during the struggle when the gun discharged. He was indicted in November 2021; delays have followed and a trial date is scheduled for October 20, 2025, with the prosecution seeking the death penalty.

Chirino had served with the department since 2017 and was named Officer of the Month in June 2020. His death was the department’s first line-of-duty fatality since 2008 and the first fatal shooting of an officer in the city since 1982. If anyone knew Officer Chirino or witnessed the incident, information is being sought.