Man Fatally Shot in St. Petersburg; Suspect Charles Teal in Custody
On December 18, 2024, at approximately 8:30 a.m., officers from the St. Petersburg Police Department responded to a report of gunfire near Kings Meat Market, located at 3467 14th Avenue South.
Upon arrival, officers located the victim, 42-year-old Deon Bell, inside the store with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he died from his injuries.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage that showed a man, later identified as 46-year-old Charles Teal, pursuing the victim while holding a firearm in his right hand/pocket. Teal later confirmed his identity in the footage and admitted to having the gun.
Witnesses present during the shooting identified him and corroborated the evidence obtained from the video. Authorities allege that Teal, acting unlawfully and with reckless disregard for human life but without premeditation, shot the victim.
Teal has been taken into custody and faces charges of second-degree murder. The investigation remains ongoing.
In 2010, Teal was found guilty of grand theft auto, making him a convicted felon and unable to own a firearm. On December 18, 2024, a Norinco SKS 7.62 rifle was located during a search warrant on his residence. He was arrested on December 19th and remains in the Pinellas County Jail.
In addition to facing charges of a felon in possession of a firearm and second-degree murder, he is facing the following violations of probation.
Violation of Probation of the following
- Attempted Commercial Burglary X 4
- Commercial Burglary X 4
- Grand Theft Motor Vehicle
- Resisting an officer with violence
- Battery on a law enforcement officer
- Failure to appear in a Robbery case
- Failure to appear