16-265 State Attorney’s Office Releases Results Of Investigation Into Shooting Involving Two Deputies; Shooting Justified (See News Release #16-246 for Additional Info)
Deputy Involved Shooting- SAO Findings
Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Office of the State Attorney
Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida
Pasco and Pinellas Counties
Deputy Jake Gauthier
Hire Date: 4/21/2013
Deputy Jonathan Segrete
Hire Date: 5/7/2012
John F. Zemola (Deceased)
DOB: 6/10/1967
Address: 5198 64th Street North, St. Petersburg
What:
The State Attorney’s Office released the results of their investigation into a shooting involving two deputies that left one man deceased. The shooting was deemed justified.
Where:
The shooting occurred near a residence at 5198 64th Street North, in unincorporated St. Petersburg.
When:
The shooting occurred at a about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2016.
The results of the SAO investigation were released on November 23, 2016.
How/Why:
The State Attorney’s Office released the results of their investigation into a shooting involving two deputies that occurred in unincorporated St. Petersburg, on November 5, 2016.
State Attorney Bernie McCabe concluded in a document that was sent to Sheriff Bob Gualtieri on November 23, 2016, “As a result of this investigation, I have determined that Deputies Gauthier and Segrete were in the lawful performance of their legal duties when they confronted John Zemola.” State Attorney Bernie McCabe said, “Zemola was wielding a knife on the street and advancing towards the deputies and Deputies Gauthier and Segrete justifiably believed that Deputy Gauthier’s life was in danger and they were authorized to use deadly force pursuant to Florida Statute 776.012.”
