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St. Pete Man Charged With Felony Murder After Home Invasion Turns Deadly

On Behalf of | Jun 15, 2020 | Capital Murder

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A St. Petersburg man is facing homicide charges after police say he gunned down a USF student in a robbery that turned fatal.

According to authorities, the 19-year-old was one of three men involved in the slaying, which took place on May 27. The victim was a 22-year-old psychology major at USF St. Petersburg and was visiting friends in an apartment west of downtown.

Witnesses say the victim was one of three individuals in the apartment at the time when a shirtless man whom police later identified as the defendant asked to see another man within the dwelling. The defendant then allegedly left the apartment complex and returned with two other men and a rifle.

Per investigators the defendant ordered the three men to the ground and held them there at gunpoint and demanded of them the door code to the apartment, which they gave. Two of the men then made their way into the apartment, with one stealing a cellphone and money from one of the men. A witness to the events subsequently reentered the apartment after hearing gunshots to find the victim with a chest wound in the kitchen. He died at the scene.

Police say fingerprints from within the apartment led them to the defendant, as well as several casings from a firearm he was alleged to own. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on June 9 and charged with felony murder in the first degree. The Florida native continues to be held without bond.

Authorities continue to search for the other two suspects.

The Law Offices of Bjorn Brunvand have been representing people charged with capital murderfelony drug chargesdrunk drivinggovernment fraud, and white-collar crimes for over a quarter century. Contact our office today to discuss your Tampa Bay-area state or federal charges.

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