ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – St. Petersburg police are investigating a fatal shooting that broke out early Saturday morning after a man reportedly tried to force his way into a local residence.
The chaos began around 12:20 a.m. when officers were called to the 3000 block of 2nd Avenue North following reports of gunfire. According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, the incident started when a 46-year-old man crashed his car.
After the crash, the man fled the vehicle on foot and entered the backyard of a home located at 3050 2nd Avenue North.
Preliminary findings indicate the man then attempted to break into the house through a rear entrance. The homeowner, who was asleep at the time, was awakened by the repeated attempts to break in. Police stated the homeowner ordered the man to leave the property, but the suspect “persisted” in his efforts to get inside.
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The confrontation ended when the homeowner opened fire, striking the 46-year-old. The man was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Authorities are withholding his identity until his family can be notified.
While the homeowner was the only person to fire a weapon, police confirmed there were three other people—two adults and a child—inside the house during the attempted break-in. None of the residents were injured.
Detectives noted that the homeowner has not been charged at this stage. The investigation into the circumstances of the crash and the subsequent shooting is currently ongoing.
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