ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in St. Petersburg.
According to a release, the shooting took place just before 9 p.m. Thursday near 22nd Avenue South and 34th Street South.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said officers responded to calls of a man, now identified as 21-year-old Torey Barber, brandishing a gun while walking on multiple roads in St. Pete.
Gualtieri also said other calls claimed Barber allegedly fired the gun while walking on 18th Ave. S.
The St. Petersburg PD officers involved in the shooting are Christian Collins and Fred Jackson. Gualtieri said Collins is a new officer, who is on his third day with the department, and Jackson was his Field Training Officer. Collins had prior experience in law enforcement in Philadelphia, authorities said.
The sheriff's office said Jackson told Barber to drop the weapon, he didn't and ran from the scene. Jackson followed him on foot while Collins followed behind in a marked patrol car.
Gualtieri said Barber ran into a parking lot on 34th St. S. and pointed the gun at Collins, who fired from inside the patrol vehicle. He hit Barber in the upper body area. His injuries are not life threatening, according to police.
Charges are pending against Barber, the sheriff's office said.
Police found a semi-automatic gun with a possible extended magazine attached in the parking lot.
"Again, this is really one of those unfortunate situations that seems at first watch because it sounds like he [Barber] has some serious mental health issues," Gualtieri said.
St. Pete PD Chief Anthony Holloway said Collins will be placed on paid administrative leave until the investigation concludes.
All details provided are preliminary at this time and the investigation is ongoing.
