Largo Police received several calls of an active shooting just before 11:30am on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at Stout’s Auto Service located at 1801 S Belcher Road.
When Largo Police Officers arrived on scene, they heard shots still being fired. They located two people with gunshot wounds in the office area of the business.
Both individuals were critically injured. One adult male was transported to HCA Hospital Largo campus while first responders performed CPR.
The second adult male was transported to the trauma center at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.
Both men died as a result of their injuries.
During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that former customer, 78-year-old Eugene Frank Becker of 7100 Ulmerton Road, arrived at Stout’s Automotive in a rental car and entered the business.
Becker approached the front desk and asked for the owner, 52-year-old Jodie Stout, by name. Upon confirming that he was speaking with the owner, Becker produced a firearm and discharged the gun in Stout’s direction. Stout retrieved his firearm and returned fire in Becker’s direction.
The two exchanged multiple rounds of gunfire, during which time both Becker and Stout suffered life-threatening injuries.
After speaking with a family member of Becker’s, detectives learned that he had visited Stout’s Automotive in 2021 for service to the vehicle he owned at the time. He was displeased with the service he received and may have felt as though he was overcharged.
On September 18, 2023, Becker was involved in a motor vehicle crash in Pinellas Park on 66th Street South of 102nd Avenue. The collision resulted in a hospitalization and the total loss of his current vehicle with damages estimated at $20000. He was cited for careless driving by the investigating officer.
A family member indicated that Becker has been somewhat depressed and extremely frustrated since the date of the recent accident.
Based on the totality of the circumstances, it appears as though Becker responded to Stout’s Automotive intending to shoot the victim in retaliation for the perceived wrong from 2021.
Next of Kin have both been notified that both men died from their injuries.
This seems to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to the general public.
No officers discharged their weapons.