Detectives Investigate St. Petersburg Police Use of Force (26-075)

ST. PETERSBURG – Detectives assigned to the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force are investigating the death of a man in the City of St. Petersburg.

On Saturday, August 22, 2026 at approximately 10:52 A.M., an officer from the St. Petersburg Police Department was flagged down by a woman whose adult step-son was experiencing a mental health crisis at a residence nearby, and she requested help.

Officers went to the residence at 7296 5th Street North and knocked on the door, attempting to conduct a welfare check with 48-year-old Brian Michael Pepal. Pepal exited the residence and immediately attacked the officers. The officers defended themselves from Pepal’s physical attack and during the course of the fight, the officers took Pepal to the ground.

Once in custody on the ground, officers discovered that Pepal was not breathing. Officers began life-saving measures, including CPR until paramedics arrived. Pepal was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

None of the force used by the officers was intentional deadly force. It is currently unknown why Pepal stopped breathing. Pepal is known to have pre-existing medical conditions. His cause of death is pending an autopsy and cause of death determination will be made by the Medical Examiner.

One officer was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries suffered during the physical assault from Pepal.

The investigation continues pending the autopsy results.

In 2020, the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force was created to ensure the investigations conducted into law enforcement use of deadly force are thorough, complete, and objective. The purpose of this task force 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.

Due to the new Marsy’s Law that took effect on July 1st, the officer’s names will not be released until 72 hours after the incident. We will update this news release at that time with the names.

Additional Information:
Brian Michael Pepal (Suspect – Deceased)
DOB: 03/14/1978