Fatal Confrontation: Tenant Shot by Police During Eviction in Pinellas Park, Florida

Tragic Confrontation at Pinellas Park Rental Ends in Fatal Shooting

Pinellas Park, FL — A tense standoff at a short-term rental property in Pinellas Park turned deadly on Sunday, October 5, when a tenant was shot and killed during a confrontation with police. The incident unfolded just before noon at a vacation home located approximately 20 miles southeast of Tampa.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the homeowner requested police assistance to evict a “confrontational” man who had been staying at the property. When officers arrived and knocked on the door, the suspect answered brandishing a knife, quickly shutting the door and barricading himself inside.

In an effort to resolve the situation peacefully, police made around 40 attempts to contact the man via calls, texts, and voicemails, urging him to exit the residence. However, he refused to comply.

As the standoff continued, deputies armed with beanbag rounds entered the home through a garage door. Upon confronting the man in the living room, he allegedly attacked Corporal Graham Fox, stabbing him in the upper left shoulder. In response, Officer Greyson Ekdahl-McBride fired several rounds, striking the suspect in the upper body.

Emergency medical personnel transported the man to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not yet been released, but officials noted that his last known address was in the surrounding area.

Corporal Fox, 49, sustained a minor injury from the knife attack but is expected to recover. No other individuals were found inside the home during the incident.

The property, described as a “luxury rustic retreat,” is listed on various rental platforms, attracting visitors looking for a getaway in the scenic Pinellas Park area.

As investigations continue, the community is left grappling with the tragic outcome of what began as a routine eviction. The sheriff’s office has not disclosed further details regarding the circumstances leading to the confrontation.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers law enforcement faces in routine calls, as well as the complexities surrounding short-term rental properties in residential neighborhoods.