PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — An investigation is underway after a woman was shot several times by deputies while fleeing a traffic stop in Indian Shores.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said the incident occurred near 20254 Gulf Boulevard, which will be shut down south of Walsingham Bridge to 197th Avenue East until 11 a.m.
A PCSO deputy said around 1:30 a.m., he stopped 65-year-old Marina DeFilippo, who was driving, a red Toyota hatchback, for running a red light. He said he believes she was speaking Russian and claimed the CIA was after her.
DeFilippo then drove away. When deputies stopped her again, they said she waved around a gun and rammed vehicles as she drove away a second time.
According to PCSO, deputies tried to stop DeFilippo multiple times. At that point, St. Petersburg Police Chief Chief Anthony Holloway said the woman continued to wave her gun.
When they neared 20254 Gulf Boulevard, deputies used their MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle to perform a pit maneuver and stop the Toyota.
They ordered then DeFilippo out of the vehicle and fired less lethal (bean bags and pepper balls). She tried to drive away, crashing into vehicles.
Seven deputies fired their guns at DeFilippo, and she was shot at least three times. She's now at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital and is expected to survive.
At this point in the investigation, it's still unclear if DeFilippo ever fired her gun. One deputy has minor injuries, likely from when she rammed several cars.
The following deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation:
- Lt. Thomas Montgomery
- K9 Corporal Justin Fineberg
- Corporal Brian Hirshman
- Corporal Tyler Reidy
- Deputy Melanie Leib
- Deputy Kyle Kilian
- Deputy Alberto Ortiz
The St. Petersburg Police Department is taking the lead on the investigation.
There are no other details available at this time.
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