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Man shot through door of his home

He was shot more than once when he was checking on a kicking sound, say deputies, who have no suspects.

By SHEELA RAMAN
Published December 6, 2006

CLEARWATER - An 18-year-old man was shot through the front door of his home early Tuesday after going to investigate a sound outside, Pinellas County sheriff's officials said.

Jeffrey Bryant Hammond was struck by more than one shot about 12:30 a.m. at 1621 Miller Ave. after hearing a thud that sounded like someone had kicked the front door, officials said.

Hammond was taken to a hospital, where he was in serious condition but was expected to survive, sheriff's Sgt. Jim Bordner said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there were no suspects.

Four or five people were in the house when the shooting occurred, deputies said. When they heard the thud, Hammond went to look through the upper glass panes of the front door.

Another person at the house called 911.

Moments later, witnesses saw a gray Dodge or Chrysler minivan heading north on Miller Avenue, which is south of Belleair Road and west of Missouri Avenue.

Because the shooter might have kicked the front door, it is unlikely that the shots were fired from a car, Bordner said. It is likely that the shooter was standing in the front yard, he said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call sheriff's Detective Edward Judy at (727) 582-6200.

[Last modified December 5, 2006, 23:57:59]