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PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (WFLA) — Detectives are investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened in Pinellas Park on Sunday, the police department said.
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, at 11:55 a.m., Pinellas Park Police officers responded the 4300 block of 82nd Avenue North for a keep the peace call.
The caller was the homeowner of the residence, which is a short-term rental property, and they were asking for assistance in getting a renter to leave.
Detectives said that when officers knocked on the door to make contact with the suspect, he answered, holding a knife in his hand, and became very confrontational. The suspect then shut the door and began to barricade himself inside.
Officers made contact with the suspect via telephone, however, he refused to exit the residence. They then attempted several more times to make contact with him via phone, but he did not answer.
Officers then formed a contact team with less-lethal beanbag rounds and a shield and made entry into the residence through the garage.
According to them, the suspect was in the living room and refused to follow commands to drop the knife. Officers used the beanbag rounds but the suspect continued to refuse to follow commands.
Detectives said that the suspect struck one of the officers with the knife in the upper left shoulder, at this time, another officer fired several rounds, striking the suspect in the upper body.
The suspect was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
His identity has not yet been released.