21-074 ***UPDATE –Release of Body Worn Camera and Dashboard Camera Video*** Detectives Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting in St. Petersburg
Taskforce Investigation
***UPDATE as of 12:00 p.m. on June 29, 2021***
PINELLAS COUNTY - On June 29, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., Sheriff Gualtieri and Chief Holloway held a press conference to provide an update and release body worn camera and dash camera video from the St. Petersburg Police Department officer-involved shooting that occurred on June 26, 2021.
To view the press conference: https://youtu.be/I6iTmauF1Ok
***END of UPDATE***
***Original press release***
Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force
-Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
-Clearwater Police Department
-Pinellas Park Police Department
St. Petersburg Police Department
Officer Ronald McKenzie Jr. – 6 year veteran of SPPD
Officer Pavel Kuznetsov – 3 year veteran of SPPD
Austin Kingos (Arrested suspect – Injured)
Address: 10790 3rd Street North, #C, St. Petersburg
DOB: 08/05/1997
Charges: One count Violation of Injunction for Protection and two counts of Attempted Murder on a Law Enforcement Officer
PINELLAS COUNTY - Detectives assigned to the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force are investigating an officer-involved shooting in the City of St. Petersburg.
At about 3:31 p.m. on June 26, 2021, two St. Petersburg Police officers were attempting to locate 23-year-old Austin Kingos who had probable cause for his arrest on a misdemeanor charge of violation of injunction for stalking.
According to investigators, Officer Ronald McKenzie and Officer Pavel Kuznetsov arrived at 10790 3rd Street North, observed Kingos in a vehicle and attempted to make contact with him. Both officers were in marked cruisers with their emergency lights activated and were in uniform.
Investigators say, as the officers made contact with Kingos they identified themselves and attempted to take Kingos into custody at the driver’s side door. A struggle ensued and Kingos pulled a semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and fired at the officers. Kingos then fled the scene on foot.
Officer McKenzie discharged his agency issued firearm at Kingos and both officers initiated a foot pursuit. The officers continued to verbally challenge Kingos, who eventually dropped his weapon. Kingos was taken into custody by the officers at 108th Avenue and 4th Street.
Once in custody, it was determined that Kingos was shot once in the left leg. The officers immediately rendered first aid to Kingos until paramedics arrived. Kingos was transported to a local hospital and his injuries are non-life threatening.
The officers were not injured.
Kingos will be transported to the Pinellas County Jail once treated for his injuries and will be charged with one count Violation of Injunction for Protection and two counts of Attempted Murder on a Law Enforcement Officer.
Earlier this year, the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Taskforce was created to ensure the investigations conducted into law enforcement use of deadly force are thorough, complete, and objective. The purpose of this taskforce is to make sure that officer-involved shootings in Pinellas County are investigated by an independent agency and not by the agency involved in the use of deadly force.
The officer involved in this shooting will be placed on paid administrative leave as is standard under St. Petersburg Police Department policy.
Sheriff Gualtieri held a press conference at the scene and it can be found on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/S99OhxnQgAU
The photo below is the actual firearm fired by Kingos.
The investigation continues.
