Crime & Safety
Man Found Dead After Shootout With Clearwater Police
The suspect opened fire on patrolling officers at Palmetto Park Apartments, according to a public safety spokesperson, and was later found dead and barricaded inside an apartment.
Updated, 5:18 p.m.: Officials have confirmed that one of the two Clearwater Police officers involved in Wednesday's incident fired his weapon and will be placed on administrative leave according to department policy, city spokesperson Elizabeth Watts said.
The other officer is considered a witness and will not be placed on leave, Watts said. Their names have not yet been released.
The suspects identity also has not been confirmed or released.
Clearwater Police and the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office will each hold separate, independent reviews of the incident, Watts said.
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Updated, 2:51 p.m.: A man was found dead and barricaded inside a Clearwater apartment after he was involved in a shootout with police officers, authorities said Wednesday.
Find out what's happening in Clearwaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The suspect opened fire on two Clearwater Police officers with a handgun during a foot chase near the Palmetto Park Apartments, 1001 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., and at least one officer returned fire, striking the man, according to a public safety spokesperson.
The man had fled when the patrolling officers approached him, believing he might be a wanted suspect, spokesperson Elizabeth Watts said in a media release.
After a chase through the complex, the man barricaded himself inside an apartment, Watts said. Responding officers tried to make contact with the alleged shooter and later entered to find him lying on the floor with a handgun near his hand.
Paramedics were called in to render aid to the shooter, and he was pronounced dead inside the apartment, Watts said.
The names of the suspect and the officers involved have not yet been released.
Earlier:
Clearwater Police officers are on the scene at a possible officer-involved shooting at the , a public safety spokesperson said in a media release Wednesday afternoon.
The suspect is armed and possibly injured inside an apartment at 1001 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., according to the release sent just before 1:30 p.m.
"Officers are attempting to communicate with the suspect at this time," the release said. The situation is ongoing.
Stay tuned to Patch for more information.
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