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LARGO - A Pinellas County sheriff's deputy shot and wounded an armed man Sunday after a short chase.
Deputy Joseph Gerretz, 30, shot Kenneth Grossberndt, 29, in the left forearm after he got out of a vehicle holding a gun, sheriff's spokeswoman Marianne Pasha said. The shooting occurred shortly before 1 p.m. at Seminole Boulevard and 23rd Avenue SW.
Grossberndt, who has no permanent address and last lived on First Avenue S in St. Petersburg, was taken to Morton Plant Hospital. His injuries were not deemed life threatening. No one else was injured.
After receiving a report of a man driving recklessly in a Jeep Cherokee on Ulmerton Road, Pasha said, deputies encountered Grossberndt at Ulmerton Road and Seminole Boulevard.
Pasha said Grossberndt headed north and west to 23rd Avenue. He tried to drive through a cul-de-sac and struck a cruiser. He then drove into nearby woods and jumped out of the car.
"He turned and had a gun in his hand," Pasha said. "Deputies challenged him with the gun, and there were shots fired."
It is not known how many shots were fired or whether Grossberndt shot at deputies, Pasha said. Grossberndt's gun was found on the ground.
Grossberndt has been linked to the burglary of 20 handguns from EZ Money Pawn Shop on Park Boulevard about 12:40 p.m. Sunday. Several guns were found in Grossberndt's vehicle, deputies said.
Grossberndt is on probation for cocaine charges and has a history of traffic violations and battery charges.
He was charged Sunday with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, felony in possession with a firearm, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding an officer and a possible violation of probation with a total of $100,000 bail. More charges against him are pending, Pasha said.
Gerretz has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an investigation.