Detectives with the Robbery/Homicide Unit of Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office have arrested 20-year-old Sean-Michael Cooper on charges of Attempted Murder and Residential Burglary with Battery following a violent incident in unincorporated St. Petersburg.
On January 2, 2024, at approximately 3:39 a.m., deputies responded to a report of a burglary in progress at a residence. Upon arrival, deputies found Cooper standing outside the home with blood on him. Inside, they discovered a 22-year-old female victim suffering from severe injuries. The victim identified Cooper as her attacker.
Investigators determined that the victim had returned home from work to find Cooper inside her darkened residence. According to detectives, Cooper assaulted the victim with a large glass pipe, sprayed her with pepper spray, and struck her multiple times with a metal frying pan. Cooper then allegedly choked the victim, stole her phone, and threatened further violence, including harm to her cats and mother.
Detectives report that Cooper attempted to stage the attack, demanding the victim remove her clothing and threatening sexual violence. When the victim resisted, he continued to strike her until she lost consciousness.
Cooper was found with injuries consistent with defensive actions by the victim. He made inconsistent statements during the investigation, further implicating him in the crime. He also stated he arrived at the residence after the attack had occurred and told the victim that he was going to stage the attack by blaming an unknown subject.
The victim was transported to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Cooper has been charged with one count of Attempted Murder and one count of Residential Burglary with Battery. He is currently in custody at the Pinellas County Jail.
The investigation remains ongoing.