Three arrests was made overnight in the shooting death that occurred at a home in the 3740 Shore Boulevard in the evening Wednesday, August 21, 2019.
Deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a person reporting an adult male shot inside the home on Shore Boulevard.
Arriving deputies found William Knoll Jr. deceased on the floor of the home.
Deputies were unable to locate the suspect(s) while searching with the PCSO helicopter and k-9s in the surrounding area.
Based on investigative efforts, detectives were able to identify suspects in the shooting death. A warrant was issued for the arrest of 37 year-old Kleatis Webb of Seminole 34 year-old Eric Melucci of Largo, and 32-year-old Jason Botes of Largo on charges of first degree murder.
The arrest of the three were made overnight on Thursday, September 6, 2019
Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned that two unidentified subjects wearing masks, dressed in all black, and carrying rifles attempted to commit a home invasion at the residence. During the robbery attempt, Knoll was shot by one of the armed subjects.
Detectives say the subjects fled the scene in a vehicle after the shooting.
After an extensive investigation that lasted more than two weeks, detectives identified 37-year-old Kleatis Webb Jr., 34-year-old Eric Melucci, and 32-year-old Jason Botes as suspects in the shooting.
Through various investigative techniques, detectives confirmed that Webb, Melucci, and Botes drove to Knoll’s residence with the intent to commit a home invasion robbery. The men put on masks, wore dark clothing, gloves, and armed themselves with AR-15 styled .223 caliber rifles.
During the robbery attempt, a struggle ensued and Knoll was shot through the front door of his residence.
The suspects then fled the scene in a Ford F-150 truck.
Detectives arrested Webb on Thursday, September 5, 2019. Melucci and Botes were arrested on Friday, September 6, 2019.
Detectives say Botes knew the victim and the robbery attempt was narcotics related.
Webb was charged with one count of First Degree Murder. Melucci was charged with one count of First Degree Murder and a warrant for Possession of Cocaine. Botes was charged with one count of First Degree Murder and one count of Driving While License Suspended or Revoked.
All three subjects were transported to the Pinellas County Jail.
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