Miami cop to be terminated after video shows him appearing to punch a woman in the face

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to remove a statement from Fort Lauderdale City Manager Chris Lagerbloom. The statement in question was in reference to a different incident. We apologize for the error.

At least one Miami-Dade County police officer will be fired after a shocking video posted to Instagram appears to show two officers in a verbal altercation with a woman before one of them punches her in the face in an incident that allegedly took place at Miami International Airport.

The video shows two police officers speaking to the woman as she begins to confront one of them before coming face to face with him. It is unclear how the dispute began in the video.

The officer can then be seen taking a step back and striking the woman in the face causing her to stumble backwards before she is tackled to the floor and appears to be placed in handcuffs while on the ground.

"As a result of an administrative investigation into the officer's conduct during this incident; it is my intent to proceed with the termination of the involved officer's employment with the Miami-Dade Police Department," Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez III, director of the Miami-Dade Police Department said in a statement Thursday afternoon. "The administrative process to proceed with termination has been initiated. The MDPD holds itself accountable for its actions, and this is just another example of our commitment to do just that."

The incident sparked a quick reaction and earlier statement from Ramirez Wednesday night, as well as Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez in statements published on Twitter.

"I am shocked and angered by a body cam video that i just saw involving one of our officers," Ramirez said in the social media statement. "I've immediately initiated an investigation and ordered that the involved officers be relieved of duty. Actions such as these undermine the hard work that we have invested in our community and causes my heart to break for our community and for the vast majority of our officers who dedicate their lives to serving our County. This will not stand, and I assure our community that any officer acting in this vain will be held to account."

Additionally, Ramirez confirmed that he spoke to State Attorney Kathy Rundle and asked her to immediately get involved with the investigation into the conduct of the officers.

Gimenez also released a statement on Twitter condemning the video saying that the incident was unnecessary and a clear use of excessive force.

"This is appalling," said Gimenez. "It's excessive use of force and unnecessary. That's NOT what our [Miami-Dade Police Department] are trained to do. [Director] Ramirez has ordered the officer relieved of duty & investigation is underway. This is why I instituted body cameras & MDPD is reviewing all footage."

The names of the two officers and the woman involved in the altercation have not yet been released and it is not known if the two officers will face any charges from the state attorney's office.