Update on the officer-involved shooting in St. Petersburg

Detectives assigned to the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force continue to investigate an officer-involved shooting in the City of St. Petersburg.

On Saturday, March 30, 2024, at approximately 5:30 p.m., St. Petersburg Police Department officers responded to the area of Shadyside Food Mart, located at 4200 15th Avenue South, for reports of shots fired.

Approximately five minutes later, a second 911 call was received, and the caller stated someone shot into a residence in the 1600 block of 40th Avenue South.

According to detectives, when Officer Dale Johnson arrived in the area, he saw a subject matching the suspect’s description, later identified as 28-year-old Germane Small. Small was on foot and ran south and then east to the area of 1711 40th Street South.

Officer Andre Sousa arrived on the scene and pursued Small on foot, running south. Detectives say Small turned around and fired at Officer Sousa but did not strike him. Small fired again, and Officer Sousa returned fire, striking Small in the face. Detectives say Small dropped the gun and ran across the street, where he was taken into custody. Small was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officer Sousa was uninjured. Small was armed with a 9MM Glock handgun with a 50-round drum magazine. He was released from the Florida Department of Corrections on March 2, 2024, where he served 9 years for armed robbery.

On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Sheriff Gualtieri held a press conference to discuss updates on the St. Petersburg Police Department officer-involved shooting that occurred on March 30, 2024. Sheriff Gualtieri also released the body cam footage of the incident. 

Small was charged with two counts of attempted Murder in the First Degree and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He was released from the hospital and booked into the Pinellas County Jail. 

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office detectives are requesting assistance from the 
public in locating and identifying the occupants of the silver Honda Accord pictured in the video. If anyone has any information, please contact Corporal Roberto Sosa at 727-582-6161. 

The full press conference can be viewed here

The body cam can be viewed at