Armed Man Shot By Police Arrested After Hospital Stay

A man shot by Clearwater Police after allegedly answering his door armed with a rifle was arrested and charged with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer after being released from the hospital Sunday. 

Mark Bill, 56, was shot in his left forearm and chest Dec. 23 after he pointed an AR15 rifle at police officers who had been called to his Glenmoor Road South home for a welfare check, police said. Family members had reportedly called 911 to warn authorities Bill was suicidal.

Officers Kris Wise and Michael Beaver fired a total of six rounds at Bill after he pointed the rifle at them from his backyard and ignored their commands to drop it.

In addition to the rifle, Bill had a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun slung across his body and a .45 caliber Colt handgun in his pocket, in addition to two knives and loose ammunition at the time of the incident, police said.

The police department's Administrative Review Board determined the two officers were justified in the use of deadly force and were in compliance with all department policies. They were cleared to return to normal duty.

Related Coverage:

• Clearwater Police: Officers Justified in Shooting Man Armed With Rifle 
• Police Shoot Man Firing Assault Rifle