The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force are currently on the scene of a deputy-involved fatal shooting. The shooting occurred shortly after 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2023.
The incident occurred at the Sunshine Mobile Home Park at 7403 46th Avenue North in Unincorporated Pinellas County.
VIDEO FROM SCENE OF DEPUTY-INVOLVED SHOOTING
At approximately 8:55 a.m., the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call regarding a neighbor dispute. When deputies arrived at the scene, the complainant was contacted so deputies could investigate the complaint.
Deputies attempted to contact the other homeowner, 54-year-old Samantha Belk. The deputy said they saw Belk return to her home, and she said she was getting her gun. The three deputies on the scene retreated to maintain a safe distance.
Belk then walked back outside of her residence holding a black semiautomatic handgun. She refused to comply with the deputies’ orders to drop the weapon.
When the resident raised the weapon and pointed it toward the deputies, Deputy Albert Johnson III, one of the three deputies on site, discharged his duty weapon several times, striking Belk. No other injuries were reported.
Paramedics with Lealman Fire Rescue began medical treatment and transported Belk to Northside Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. The next of kin has been notified.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has employed Deputy Johnson since September 2014. Per policy, he has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. The two other deputies who did not fire their weapons will remain on duty.
The St. Petersburg Police Department will lead the investigation due to the involvement of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy.