Police Shoot Man Firing Assault Rifle

Police, called to do a welfare check on a Clearwater man, ended up shooting him when he came outside firing an assault rifle Sunday night, according to Clearwater Police.

Police were called to a home on the 2200 block of Glenmoor Road North by a family member concerned about a conversation he had with Mark Wayne Bill earlier in the day.  

Officers Kris Wise and Michael Beaver went over to check on him at 7:13 p.m. Sunday.

Bill, 56, came outside armed with an AR-15 assault rifle and fired at least one shot at Wise and Beaver, according to police. Fearing for their safety, the officers fired back, hitting Bill.

Bill suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center, where he underwent surgery.

Neither officers were injured.

Wise, a nearly 14-year veteran, and Beaver, who has been on the force 10 months, will be placed on administrative leave, which is standard policy in officer-involved shootings.

"A full shooting review will take place and the results will be made available once completed," Elizabeth Watts, police spokeswoman, said in a release.

Bill's 15-year-old son was in the house during the shooting and was not injured during the incident, according to police. Police interviewed him to try and find out what happened in the moments before the incident.

A victim advocate was helping the boy and police contacted Child Protective Services.