Murder/ Deputy Involved Shooting

***Update as of 10:30 a.m. on August 7, 2019***

Michael Robinson (Victim – Deceased)
DOB: 08/22/1964
Address: 2691 Sabal Springs Circle, #206, Clearwater

While conducting their investigation, detectives obtained information that the victim, 54-year-old Michael Robinson and the suspect, 35-year-old John Clark were known to each other.

On August 6, 2019 at approximately 5:28 p.m., detectives attempted to make contact with Robinson at his residence, located at 2691 Sabal Springs Circle, #206, in Clearwater. When detectives arrived at the residence, they discovered Robinson deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.   

Detectives are requesting information from anyone that may have seen a blue 2012 Volkswagen Eos in the Safety Harbor/Countryside area, between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., on August 3, 2019, to contact Detective S. Robinson of the Robbery/Homicide Unit at (727) 582-5669 or srobinson1@pcsonet.com.

This investigation continues.  

***End of Update***

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
- Violent Offender Warrant Unit
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Robbery & Homicide Unit

Susan O. Clark (Victim- Deceased)
DOB: 11/4/1954
Address: 2360 Flanders Way, Unit A, Safety Harbor

John J. Clark (Suspect- Deceased)
DOB: 11/1/1983
Address: 2360 Flanders Way, Unit A, Safety Harbor
Vehicle: 2012 Volkswagen Eos

Deputy Brian Williams
Age: 37
Date of hire: 09/15/2005

Deputy Brennen Wede
Age: 26
Date of hire: 08/4/2014

Deputy Chris Amatruda
Age: 33
Date of hire: 07/18/2016

What:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery & Homicide Unit are investigating a murder and deputy involved shooting after a man shot and killed his mother and pointed a shot gun at deputies in Safety Harbor.

When:
Deputies were called to the scene at about 2:27 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2019.

The deputy involved shooting occurred at about 4:21 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2019.

Where:
The incident occurred at a residence located at 2360 Flanders Way, Unit A, in Safety Harbor.

Why/How:
At about 2:27 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2019, deputies responded to a residence located at 2360 Flanders Way, Unit A, in Safety Harbor, for a welfare check.

Detectives say a citizen calling from Illinois contacted the communications center saying his friend, 35-year-old John Clark from Safety Harbor, called and told him he just shot his mother at his residence on Flanders Way in Safety Harbor.

When deputies arrived and entered the residence, 64-year-old Susan Clark was found deceased inside the home from an apparent gunshot wound.

Detectives say no one else was at the home so deputies began searching for the suspect, John Clark.

Robbery & Homicide detectives responded to the scene and began their investigation.

At about 4:21 a.m. patrol deputies working the perimeter of the crime scene spotted Clark driving southbound on Beacon Place Drive in his mother’s 2012 Volkswagen Eos.

Deputies activated their emergency lights and sirens and tried initiating a traffic stop on the Volkswagen. Clark refused to stop and turned westbound onto Baldwin Avenue from Beacon Place Drive, towards the crime scene.

Robbery & Homicide detectives were standing in the roadway conducting a briefing when Clark drove the Volkswagen through the crime scene at a slow speed near Flanders Way.

Multiple deputies and detectives ordered Clark to stop the vehicle but he refused. 

When deputies approached the passenger side of the Volkswagen they could see Clark holding a 12 gauge shotgun on his lap. Deputies ordered Clark to drop the gun and stop the car but he refused.

Detectives say Clark was still traveling westbound at a slow speed when he took the shotgun from between his legs and pointed it towards the passenger side window where the deputies were standing.

In fear for their safety, Deputy Brian Williams, Deputy Brennen Wede, and Deputy Chris Amatruda fired multiple rounds from their agency issued handguns striking and incapacitating Clark.

Deputies pulled Clark out of the Volkswagen and rendered medical aid until paramedics arrived on scene.

No deputies were injured.

Paramedics transported Clark to St. Joseph’s Hospital for life threatening injuries where he was later pronounced deceased at about 5:10 a.m.

Deputy Williams, Deputy Wede, and Deputy Amatruda will be placed on routine paid administrative leave.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri held a press conference at the scene. Press conference video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vonFHOldh_8&feature=youtu.be

The investigation continues.

Posted by Saturday, August 3, 2019 10:55:00 AM Categories: Crimes Against Persons

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