PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Police detectives assigned to the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force are investigating a deputy-involved shooting in unincorporated Pinellas County.
Shortly before 9 a.m. Saturday, Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies responded to Sunshine Mobile Home Park at 7403 46th Ave. N. in reference to a call about an argument between neighbors.
When deputies arrived, they spoke to one resident involved in the dispute then they attempted to speak to the other homeowner identified as Samantha M. Belk, 54.
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The deputy said they saw Belk return back inside her home, and she said she was getting her gun. The three deputies on the scene retreated to maintain a safe distance.
Belk then walked back outside of her residence holding a black semiautomatic handgun. She refused to comply with the deputies’ orders to drop the weapon.
When the resident raised the weapon and pointed it toward the deputies, Deputy Albert Johnson III, who was one of the three deputies on site, discharged his duty weapon several times, striking Belk. No other injuries were reported.
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Paramedics with Lealman Fire Rescue began medical treatment and transported Belk to Northside Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. Next of kin has been notified.
Deputy Johnson has been employed by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office since September 2014. Per policy, he has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.
The other two deputies, who did not fire their weapons, will remain on duty.
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