Crime & Safety

Deputy Involved in Shootout at Largo Gas Station

Bryant Collins, 32, was arrested and charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and driving while license is suspended or revoked.

A Clearwater man was involved in a shoot out with Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies Tuesday afternoon at a Largo gas station.

Deputies Ethan Taylor and Lorie Fagan tried to approach Bryant A. Collins, who was in a stolen 1994 Acura, around 12:12 p.m. at a gas station near 142nd Avenue North and South Belcher Road, according to investigators. 

Collins, who went into the station then came back out to pump gas, noticed the deputies approaching, got into the car and put it in reverse, hitting Fagan's unmarked patrol car, according to investigators. 

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Taylor, 47, then began firing shots at Collins' vehicle. Collins, 32, then hit a curb and came to a stop in a retention pond. 

Collins, of Clearwater, was taken to Pinellas County Jail without further incident. He was arrested and charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and driving while license is suspended or revoked. 

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Taylor is on routine paid administrative leave. Fagan is not.

No one was injured in the incident.

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Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a shooting that took place in Largo, Aug. 27, involving one of their own.

The shooting is said to have taken place in the area of 142nd Avenue North and South Belcher Road. No injuries have been reported at this time.

Further details are not yet available.

Stay with Patch for updates.


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