Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Robbery/ Homicide Unit

Deputy Christopher Lyons (Victim- Uninjured)
Age: 36
Date of Hire: 03/21/2016

Todd Charles Rowe (Suspect- Injured)
DOB: 10/17/1969
Address: 2249 Curlew Avenue, Apartment C, unincorporated Dunedin
Charges: One count of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer

What:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit are investigating a deputy involved shooting after a man pointed a handgun at a deputy in unincorporated Dunedin.

When:
The incident occurred at about 6 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2017.

Where:
The incident occurred behind a residence located at 2249 Curlew Avenue, Apartment C, in unincorporated Dunedin.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit are investigating a deputy involved shooting after a man pointed a handgun at a deputy in unincorporated Dunedin.

According to detectives, at about 6 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2017, deputies were dispatched to a residence located 2249 Curlew Avenue, in unincorporated Dunedin, for reports of gun shots heard by neighbors.

When deputies arrived they made contact with a witness who previously saw a male subject with a gun walking between the residence at 2253 Curlew Avenue and the residence at 2249 Curlew Avenue. Witnesses also informed deputies that they heard what they thought was the sound of a gun shot behind the residence at 2249 Curlew Avenue.

Deputy Christopher Lyons parked his cruiser just east of the residence at 2249 Curlew Avenue and approached the east side of the residence in an attempt to locate the armed subject. Deputy Lyons entered into the backyard of the residence when he saw the suspect, 47-year-old Todd Rowe, exit the southeast side of the residence armed with a handgun.

Investigators say that Deputy Lyons challenged Rowe and told him to drop the gun several times. Rowe would not follow commands to drop the gun and pointed the gun at Deputy Lyons. When Deputy Lyons tried moving to cover, Rowe tracked Deputy Lyons with his firearm.

Deputy Lyons was in fear for his safety when he fired five rounds from his department issued handgun striking Rowe once in the neck.

Deputies rendered aid to Rowe at the scene. Paramedics transported Rowe to St. Joseph’s Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators say that Rowe has an extensive criminal history with at least one arrest involving a firearm.

Rowe will be charged with one count of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.

Deputy Lyons will be placed on routine paid administrative leave.

The investigation continues.

For video of Sheriff Gualtieri’s press conference visit our YouTube page : https://youtu.be/_86JunFy7rE