Deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate a person who was shot and killed at a home in Unincorporated Largo.
The incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 14922 Crown Drive in Unincorporated Largo.
According to detectives, at approximately 3:54 p.m., deputies assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau responded to the occurred location after reports of shots fired. Once on scene, deputies learned this was a domestic-related incident, and they located 55-year-old Mark Duell deceased from a gunshot wound.
Detectives advised the shooter, identified as 24-year-old Devin Berry, has cooperated with the investigation and is claiming self-defense.
In January of 2024, Duell was arrested by deputies for an alcohol-related domestic battery at the same address. It is reported that during an argument, he grabbed his girlfriend by the wrist. She attempted to push him off and scratched his face with her ring. He grabbed the victim’s phone during the argument and scratched the victim’s chin.
This is an ongoing investigation.
Florida Stand Your Ground
In Florida, a “Stand Your Ground” hearing is a pre-trial proceeding where a defendant can argue that they acted in self-defense and should be granted immunity from prosecution. This law allows individuals to use force, including deadly force if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to themselves or others without the duty to retreat.
During the hearing, the defendant must present a case for immunity, showing that their use of force was justified. If successful, the burden of proof then shifts to the state to prove that the defendant is not entitled to immunity by clear and convincing evidence.