Sexual battery suspect killed in deputy-involved shooting at Treasure Island motel

TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. - The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate a bizarre series of events that ended in a 42-year-old suspect's death.

Authorities had issued a warrant for the arrest of Gregory J. Johns earlier this week, on charges of sexual battery on a child under 12 from June. He was also accused in connection to the armed robbery and false imprisonment of a 78-year-old woman on August 28, as well as the robbery of a couple at knife point in Vinoy Park on August 29.

Johns, a Safety Harbor resident, had a criminal history of violent felonies and weapons charges going back to 1987, and detectives alerted media outlets that he should be considered armed and possibly dangerous.

During a press conference Saturday morning, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said Johns was shot and killed by Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies.

According to Gualtieri, investigators had received a tip that Johns was staying at a motel on the beach.

Deputies checked out every single motel on Gulf Boulevard, and shortly after 5 a.m. they discovered that Johns was staying at the Trail's End Motel and Apartments located at 11500 Gulf Boulevard in Treasure Island.

Johns was reportedly staying in room number 224.

Gualtieri said deputies and detectives were able to isolate the room, and they knocked on the door, they could hear commotion and voices inside the room.

Johns refused to come out or obey commands, according to officials.

Deputies broke down the door, and when they entered the room, Johns had retreated into the bathroom and locked the door.

Officials said that as deputies prepared to break down the bathroom door, Johns emerged from the bathroom with a knife in his hand, charging at the deputies and saying he was going to kill them.

Two deputies each fired approximately 5 rounds, striking Johns, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriff's office is still investigating the case, and more details may be released.