SerpApi.Org
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A homicide suspect was in a standoff after killing a St. Petersburg city employee in a shooting Wednesday, according to police.
The chief said the victim, a 47-year-old mother of four, was killed at a dig site on 12th Avenue South.
“Some type of argument started, and during the argument, the suspect got into the cab of the front loader and shot her several times,” he said.
Prior to her death, the victim worked for St. Petersburg as a sanitation technician for 12 years. Police said she knew her killer.
“We want to bring this suspect to justice,” Holloway said.
According to St. Petersburg police, the suspect drove south after fleeing the crime scene and was stopped in the southbound lanes.
The Florida Highway Patrol said they got a “Be on the Lookout” alert for the suspect at 12:30 p.m. At the time, troopers were informed the suspect may be suicidal and involved in the St. Petersburg homicide case.
FHP troopers said they found the homicide suspect in Lee County and tried to conduct a traffic stop.
The suspect fled, so troopers conducted a PIT maneuver near the Alico Road exit on I-75, disabling his truck.
Despite this, the suspect barricaded himself in his truck off the southbound lanes of I-75.
Viewer-reported video showed shots fired at the suspect’s truck. Per the latest update, the suspect is alive and has been taken into custody after the standoff.
The suspect was said to be hospitalized with serious injuries.
“State Troopers and law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the people of this great state,” FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner said. “As this is an active criminal investigation, we will have no further comment, except to say how thankful I am for the heroism State Troopers display each and every day, including this very challenging and dangerous incident today. The entire Florida Highway Patrol is deeply thankful for the heroism and support Lee County Deputies provided in responding, as well.”
St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch said counselors have been made available to city workers and the victim’s loved ones to assist them through their grief.
“This is a difficult day for the families that have lost a loved one, a difficult day for our St. Pete team,” Welch said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the officer-involved shooting per standard procedure.
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