5-27-2011 Florida:ST. PETERSBURG -- A fugitive from Alabama was shot dead today after pulling a gun on law enforcement officers in St. Petersburg, authorities said.
A deputy U.S. marshal suffered minor injuries in the incident, which happened about 5:45 p.m. at 3428 Queen St. N.
The fugitive's name has not been released. He was wanted for violating his supervised release in a sex-offense case out of Birmingham, Ala., said Pete Cajigal, assistant chief with the U.S. Marshals Service in Tampa.
Members of a regional fugitive task force, including deputy marshals and Tampa police officers, went to the address to serve an arrest warrant. Authorities said they made contact with the fugitive at an apartment behind the house.
"He did present a firearm to officers and officers ended up shooting him," Cajigal said.
"We do know that two deputy U.S. marshals and one task force officer from the Tampa Police Department discharged their weapons," he said.
Neighbor Marie Osborne was in her back yard when she heard gunshots.
"And I ran out and looked on my driveway and I saw the U.S. marshals all running, taking cover," she said.
Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor arrived on scene soon after to check on the welfare of her officers.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting.
The shooting comes four months after two St. Petersburg police officers were killed and a deputy U.S. marshal was wounded after a fugitive opened fire as task force members tried to serve an arrest warrant at a St. Petersburg home. ..Source.. by TBO.com
