A Pinellas Park man was arrested following a short standoff with police after he reportedly shot and killed his live-in girlfriend on Tuesday night.
At approximately 6:15 p.m., police say a domestic dispute occurred between Thomas Lee Owens and his girlfriend, Nellie Denise Collins. During the dispute, Owens was armed with a handgun in the living room of his residence with Collins and Tracy Starks, his sister. Police say the argument escalated and Owens shot Collins, who later died from her injuries. Owens reportedly pointed the gun at his sister but never fired the gun. Starks was able to run to a neighbor's house where she was able to call 911.
When police arrived on scene, they found Owens armed with a handgun outside of the residence inside the screened porch. During a short standoff with police, Owens refused to drop the gun after officers commanded him to do so multiple times. Owens eventually dropped the gun and was taken into custody without any injury.
Police cleared the scene and located the body of Nellie Collins.
Owens was arrested and transported to the Pinellas County Jail where he was charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and felon in possession of a firearm. He is being held with no bond.
The investigation is ongoing.
