***UPDATE - Press Conference Held on September 28, 2026***UPDATE- Release of Officers Names***Detectives Investigate St. Petersburg Police Use of Force (26-075)
***UPDATE as of 5:30pm on September 28, 2026***
On Monday, September 28, 2026, Sheriff Gualtieri held a press conference to discuss the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force’s investigation that began on August 22, 2026.
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, at approximately 11:00 a.m., SPPD responded to 7296 5th Street North, St. Petersburg, for a welfare check on 48-year-old Brian Pepal, who was experiencing a mental health crisis and exhibiting concerning behavior.
Upon making contact with Pepal, he violently attacked St. Petersburg Officers Daniel Poveda and Tammy Craig. Both officers defended themselves and deployed their electronic control weapons in response, and restrained Pepal in handcuffs after a fight. Pepal became unresponsive and officers began life-saving measures. Pepal was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 12:04 p.m.
The Medical Examiner determined the manner of death to be homicide and the cause of death to be traumatic asphyxiation, with contributing conditions of restraint, coronary atherosclerosis, obesity, and schizophrenia. Toxicology was positive for marijuana.
In a letter directed to Chief Anthony Holloway of the St. Petersburg Police Department, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri stated, “Based on the Task Force investigation, including officers’ statements, physical evidence, video evidence, witness statements, and the findings of the Medical Examiner’s Office, Officers Poveda and Craig were lawfully performing their duties when they contacted Pepal regarding his reporting behavior and mental health crisis.
Accordingly, I find that the death of Brian Pepal was an excusable homicide pursuant to F.S. §782.03, and that the actions of Officers Daniel Poveda and Tammy Craig were lawful and proper under the circumstances.”
In a letter dated September 28, 2026, to Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, State Attorney Bruce Bartlett concluded, “It should be noted that the officers, based on the extremely violent actions of Brian Pepal, would have been legally justified in the use of deadly force in this scenario. But instead, they chose to use non-deadly force by deploying their tasers and using physical restraints to stop the threat presented by Brian Pepal when he came out of his apartment and committed the forcible felony of battery on a law enforcement officer on both Officer Daniel Poveda and Officer Tammy Craig, contrary to F.S. §784.07. There was no intent in the actions of Officer Poveda and Officer Craig to cause of the death of Brian Pepal and the force used by Officer Poveda and Officer Craig was a reasonable response to the circumstances present by Brian Pepal’s own actions. Therefore, it is the conclusion of the State Attorney’s Office that the death of Brian Pepal was an excusable homicide, pursuant to F.S. §782.03 and F.S. §776.05(1).”
View the full press conference here: https://youtu.be/WW22fbgqmnQ
***END OF UPDATE***
***UPDATE as of 10:15am on August 28, 2026***
Consistent with the expanded Marsy’s Law requirement, the below St. Petersburg Police Department officers were involved in the August 22, 2026, use of force.
Officer transported to the hospital:
Officer Tammy Craig
Age: 56
Sworn Date: 3/28/2005
Additional officer involved:
Officer Daniel Poveda
Age: 44
Sworn Date: 4/23/2007
***End of UPDATE***
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 stepson 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
