Who: 
Pinellas County Sheriff Office
Patrol Operations Bureau

Justin McGirt (Arrested)
DOB: 10/30/1996
Address:  6006 137^th Terr. North, Clearwater
Arrested  for Attempted Homicide on Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest with Violence, Aggravated Battery on Law Enforcement Officer

Deputy Jason Fineran (Injured)
Age: 30
Hire Date: October 2014

What: 
Deputies have arrested a Clearwater man after he struck a deputy several times and choked him.

When:
The incident occurred at about 2:13am on Saturday March 22, 2015.

Where:
The incident occurred at 60^th Street North and 137^th Terrace North, Clearwater (inside the Leisure World Mobile Home Park).

Why/How:
On March 21, 2015 at approximately 2:23AM Deputy Jason Fineran was on patrol and observed a male riding a bicycle without lights in the area of 60^th Street North and  137^th Street North. Dep. Fineran exited his patrol vehicle and attempted to make contact with the subject, Justin McGirt, for the bicycle violation.   

McGirt immediately tried to leave the area and ignored commands to speak with the deputy. In an attempt to keep McGirt from fleeing the area Dep. Fineran grabbed McGirt’s left hand. McGirt immediately struck the deputy with a closed fist causing a laceration above the deputy’s left eye. Dep. Fineran was able to radio for assistance and continued attempts to take McGirt into custody.

McGirt resisted violently and at one point in the altercation wrapped his inner thighs around the deputy’s neck reducing the deputy’s ability to breath. Upon the arrival of back up deputies it was necessary to deploy an electronic control weapon and use multiple deputies to take the suspect into custody.

Deputy Fineran was transported to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Arrested for Attempted Homicide on Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest with Violence, Aggravated Battery on Law Enforcement Officer. He was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

The investigation continues.

JUSTIN N MCGIRT