Officers from the Clearwater Police Department were dispatched to 1444 Gulf to Bay Blvd to check the welfare of 33 year-old Annie Vann. The call for service was shortly before 2 a.m. on Wednesday, December 26, 2018.
Vann had contacted a family member and reported her boyfriend was “beating her up”. The family member also reported that Vann sent them a Facebook Messenger message stating, “Help, call 911, 1444 Gulf to Bay Blvd. He has a gun.”
At approximately 2:26 a.m., multiple officers contacted Vann at the back door to 1444 Gulf to Bay Blvd. While talking to Vann, 35 year-old Wayne Falana Jr. appeared from behind Vann’s location inside the apartment and opened fire on the officers. Officers scrambled for cover while Falana fired multiple rounds at them. One officer was struck in his boot and narrowly missed by a round that penetrated the officer’s clothing but did not cause injury.
As the officers took cover, Falana ran to the front of the address and began shooting through the front glass door, ultimately running into the roadway, still armed with a firearm. Officers returned fire in the roadway in front of 1444 Gulf to Bay Blvd.; striking him multiple times.
Falana was pronounced dead at the scene. The firearm attached to this alert is the actual firearm used by Falana and recovered at the scene.
Vann fled the scene as the suspect initially opened fire on the officers.
As of about 3 p.m., Annie Vann is currently being interviewed by detectives. She voluntarily walked into the police department early this afternoon.
Four officers who fired their weapons will be placed on paid administrative leave while separate and independent investigations are conducted by the Office of the State Attorney, the Clearwater Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, and the Office of Professional Standards.
The investigation continues.