Pinellas Deputy involved shooting in Largo
A Pinellas County Sheriff’s Deputy discharged his firearm after an altercation with a suspect at 12:12pm. The suspect has been identified as 32 year old Bryant A. Collins of Clearwater.
Deputies attempted to approach Mr. Collins in a stolen vehicle, when the suspect placed his vehicle in reverse, hitting an unmarked patrol car. Out of concern for officer safety and the safety of those in the area, a deputy began to fire shots at the suspect’s vehicle.
The Deputies involved has been identified as Deputy Ethan Taylor and Deputy Lorie Fagan
According to detectives, at approximately 12:12 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2013, Deputy Ethan Taylor was on routine patrol when he ran the tag of a gray 1994 Acura. The vehicle came back as a stolen vehicle reported out of St. Petersburg Police Department’s jurisdiction. Deputy Taylor requested backup and began to follow the vehicle.
The suspect’s vehicle pulled into a gas station located on the corner of 142nd Avenue N. and S. Belcher Road in Largo. The suspect then exited the vehicle, went into the gas station and then returned to his vehicle to pump gas. Deputy Taylor and Deputy Lorie Fagan both entered the gas station parking lot and began to approach the suspect near the gas pumps. The suspect noticed the deputies approaching him and put his vehicle in reverse. He then accelerated the gas, causing his vehicle to hit the unmarked car driven by Deputy Fagan. The suspect then put the car in drive and attempted to exit the parking lot. Out of concern for officer safety and the safety of those in the area, Deputy Taylor began to fire shots at the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle then hit the curb and drove into the retention pond where it came to a stop.
Mr. Bryant A. Collins, was taken into custody and has since been transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident. He was not injured during the incident.
Deputies Taylor and Fagan were not injured in the confrontation. Both will be placed on routine paid administrative leave.
The suspect Bryant Collins will be charged with Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.
The investigation continues.
Inquires as to the stolen vehicle and any charges by the St. Petersburg Police Department should be referred to the St. Petersburg Police Department PIO.
Information obtained from PCSO
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