*** UPDATE ***

July 29, 2008

Re: Fatal shooting of Dallas Carter on July 19th, 2008
Case# 2008-19809

The Office of the State Attorney, Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida, has completed the investigation into the shooting incident of July 19th, 2008, resulting in the death of Dallas Dwayne Carter.  The investigation conclusion notice was received by Pinellas Park Police today.

The statement was issued by Bernie McCabe, State Attorney, and noted the following: "It is the conclusion of the State Attorney's Office that the death of Dallas Dwayne Carter was the result of having been shot by Corporal M. Erwin, Officer A. Aguilar and Officer A. Smotrich in the performance of their legal duty and the shooting was Justifiable Homicide, pursuant to Florida Statute 776.012."

The administrative review of the incident being conducted by the Pinellas Park Internal Affairs investigator is not complete.  This review examines the compliance with established policies and procedures as set by the Pinellas Park Police Administration.  This review is expected to be completed within 30 days.

At this time, Chief Dorene Thomas will be immediately returning all three officers to full duty status.

State Attorney Investigation File Letter

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Report# 2008-19809

Officer Involved Shooting Under Investigation

On Saturday, July 19, 2008, at 10:58 pm, patrol officers were dispatched to a 911 call at the Shadow Run Apartments, 12001 Belcher Road, Apartment # B-28.  The suspect made statements indicating he was disturbed and armed with a .40 caliber handgun.  He also indicated that his children, 8 and 13 year-old boys, were in bed.  When a dispatcher asked his name, he ended the call.

Upon arrival, officers secured the area around the apartment building and attempted to contact the suspect through his cellular phone, but all attempts went to voicemail.  As a crisis negotiator attempted to get into position to make contact with the suspect via a bullhorn, the suspect began firing multiple rounds from a handgun and a rifle. The suspect fired from inside his home in various directions outside.  Those rounds struck other buildings and walls in the area.  At least thirty rounds total of both .40 caliber handgun and 30-30 rifle ammunition were fired by the suspect.  Within minutes, the two children ran from the apartment and were rescued by officers in the breezeway of the building.  The children were taken to a safe area and later turned over to the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families.  The suspect was yelling and continued to fire rounds in the direction of the officers from inside.  At one point, the crisis negotiator attempted again to speak to the suspect without success.

At approximately 11:32 pm. The suspect emerged through the front door of his apartment with the rifle and handgun.  He directly confronted officers in the breezeway, pointing both weapons at them.  The officers ordered him to drop his weapons.  When he did not, the three officers in immediate danger responded by shooting the suspect, who was immediately incapacitated.  The officers were armed with department issued Glock .45 caliber handguns and one with a Rock River .223 caliber rifle.  The officers fired a total of ten rounds.

Paramedics, who were staging nearby, responded to treat the suspect and found him to be deceased.

The initial investigation has revealed that the suspect was suffering from health and financial issues.  He left a note in the apartment.  Our records indicate that the Pinellas Park Police Department has not had previous contact with the suspect.

The shooting is being investigated by the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office, the Criminal Investigations Section of the Pinellas Park Police Department, and by the Internal Affairs unit.  The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.

Additional information will be released as it become available.

The suspect has been identified as:

Dallas Dwayne CARTER, a white male, DOB: 11/08/1963, Age: 44

Address: 12001 Belcher Road, # B28

Officers Involved (All are assigned to the Patrol Section):

Michael Erwin, Age: 38 ,

Hire date: August 23, 1996

Adam Smotrich, Age:26

Hire date: June 16, 2006

Alexanrdo Aguilar, Age: 23

Hire date: October 24, 2007

Released by:

Lieutenant Paul Andrews, PIO.

727-541-0787