Indian Shores, FL – The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office was involved in a deputy-involved shooting on April 1, 2025, following a female driver who fled from a traffic stop that began in Seminole.
According to authorities, the incident started at approximately 1:29 a.m. when deputies attempted a traffic stop on a red Toyota Matrix hatchback near 113th Street and Park Boulevard. The driver, identified as 65-year-old Marina DeFilippo, fled the stop and proceeded westbound on Park Boulevard before heading onto Gulf Boulevard.
Deputies conducted a felony traffic stop in the 17700 block of Gulf Boulevard in Redington Shores. During the stop, DeFilippo ignored commands and continued driving northbound. At one point, she pointed a handgun at an Indian Shores Police officer before ramming multiple patrol vehicles and continuing her attempt to flee. As deputies continued, DeFilippo’s vehicle sustained severe tire damage, and in the conclusion, it drove with only one functioning tire.
Near 20254 Gulf Boulevard, Pinellas deputies deployed their Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle to perform a PIT maneuver, bringing DeFilippo’s vehicle to a stop. Deputies attempted to subdue her using less-lethal measures, including bean bags and pepper balls, but she continued to resist and crashed into additional vehicles. At approximately 2:03 a.m., seven deputies fired their weapons, striking DeFilippo. She ultimately was removed from the vehicle at approximately 2:28 a.m. after deputies introduced pepper balls and gas into the car. She suffered three non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and was transported to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg.
A handgun was recovered from the vehicle, but it is unknown if the woman fired the handgun.
One deputy sustained minor injuries during the crash and is receiving treatment.
The seven deputies involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.
The Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force has assumed the investigation. Established in 2020, this task force ensures officer-involved shootings are investigated independently of the agency involved.
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force released the following video. The task force noted that it is still actively investigating the incident. “This is still an ongoing investigation, but to honor our commitment to transparency, we are releasing portions of the body and dash cameras.”
Due to the large number of body and dashboard camera videos involved, they edited a compilation of several videos to show a timeline of what led up to the shots fired.
This is the brief updated summary of the incident.
At 1:29 a.m., at 113th Street North and Park Blvd., a Pinellas Deputy attempted a traffic stop on a red Toyota hatchback for running a red light. The driver, Marina DeFilippo, had a brief verbal exchange with the deputy, then drove away. She eventually turned onto Gulf Blvd.
Indian Shores Police then initiated a felony traffic stop on Gulf Blvd. at 177th Avenue West and they saw her with a gun in her hand. She ignored commands to stop and did a U-turn and headed northbound on Gulf Blvd.
Near 20254 Gulf Blvd, Pinellas Deputies used their MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle to perform a pit maneuver that spun the Toyota around. DeFilippo continued to drive towards a Deputy standing behind his open patrol car door. Several deputies fired shots in an attempt to stop her.
After hitting the patrol car door and injuring the Deputy, DeFilippo continued driving away as deputies fired their weapons. She crashed head on into another patrol car, finally coming to a stop.
DeFilippo suffered three non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and was transported to the hospital.
Further updates will be provided as more details emerge, as this is very preliminary information that is subject to change as the investigation continues.