Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
NICOLE JOHNSONDeputies say a man tried to drive at one of them and fled as they were trying to serve a warrant for another man.
PALM HARBOR - Pinellas County sheriff's deputies went to S Knoll Avenue late Wednesday night looking to arrest Christopher B. Moore on a charge of violating his probation.
In a rapidly unfolding series of events, they thought they might have Moore when a man drove up in an Oldsmobile Alero, authorities said. But when deputies approached the car, the driver jumped back inside and drove at one of the deputies, who shot into the car.
Thursday, authorities learned that the driver was not Moore after Moore turned himself in. The driver, who may have been shot, was still at large and was considered dangerous, officials said.
"Now we have a suspect that has committed a minimum of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer," sheriff's spokesman Mac McMullen said.
The incident began at 11:55 p.m. Wednesday in front of 2382 S Knoll Ave., which is just south of Alderman Road, west of U.S. 19. Deputies with the sheriff's Strategic Tactical Analytical Response Team were positioned to issue a warrant on Moore.
Moore, 18, was on probation on an aggravated battery charge, officials said. He had been brought to authorities' attention by his probation officer, who notified them he had a gun, McMullen said.
As deputies gathered, the 2001 silver Oldsmobile rolled up. Deputy Frank N. Felicetta III approached the driver as he got out of the car.
The man then quickly got back into the car and backed up before Felicetta could identify him, authorities said. When another deputy tried to block the Oldsmobile with his patrol car, the suspect stopped and started driving toward Felicetta.
Felicetta fired his gun once, according to reports.
The suspect then made a left turn, leaving the neighborhood and ending up on Alderman Road. He took U.S. 19 north and turned into the Country Grove neighborhood.
Deputies followed the suspect to Carriage Drive, a residential street about three-quarters of a mile north on U.S. 19 from S Knoll Avenue.
The suspect stopped at the end of the street, got out of the car and ran into the neighborhood, McMullen said.
During a search, deputies found a cordless phone and an undisclosed amount of crack cocaine behind a home. Detectives think the suspect was wounded in the arm because blood was found on the driver's side of the car.
Felicetta was placed on administrative leave in accordance with the department's policy. The 34-year-old celebrated his 10th year with the department on July 3.
A criminal investigation and a shooting review board must hear the details of the incident before Felicetta can return, McMullen said.
A search for the driver, whose description was not released, continued Thursday evening. Anyone with information is asked to call sheriff's Sgt. Mike Madden at (727) 582-6200.
Nicole Johnson can be reached at njohnson@sptimes.com or 727 771-4303.