On Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies and officers from the Indian Shores Police Department observed a vehicle described as a later model black Mustang driving recklessly along Gulf Boulevard. Deputies initiated a traffic stop, at which time the suspect did not stop. Deputies were in the process of initiating a pursuit, but called it off immediately and the suspect continued on.

A short time later, the same vehicle returned to the area where he had last seen the deputies and officers. The driver of the vehicle began spinning his tires and racing past the deputies and officer as if he was attempting to engage them.

Deputies maintained visuals on the suspect vehicle as it proceeded northbound on Gulf Boulevard, at which point the Mustang rammed an Indian Shores Police Department cruiser.

At that point, Pinellas deputies used the pit maneuver to stop the suspect vehicle. The maneuver caused the suspect vehicle to spin off the roadway and strike a power pole at 19106 Gulf Boulevard.

Deputies and Indian Shores Police Officers stopped; and as they were exiting their vehicles, the suspect opened fire from inside the Mustang, striking the windshield of both Pinellas Sheriff's Office and Indian Shores Police cruisers.

Deputies and the officer returned fire. The suspect was killed.

Three deputies and one Indian Shores Police Officer involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. This is standard procedure in a deputy and officer related shooting.

Suspect has been identified as:

Kentin Deon Brooks

09/29/1983
420 79th Terrace N., Apt. #309
St. Petersburg
 

The investigation continues.

No further info at this time.