Dunedin Officer-Involved Shooting: Details Released

DUNEDIN, FL — A 47-year-old man from unincorporated Dunedin faces criminal charges after a Friday night incident resulted in him being shot by a Pinellas County deputy.

According to the sheriff’s office, Deputy Christopher Lyons, 36, responded to a call about shots fired in the 2200 block of Curlew Avenue around 6 p.m. Jan. 20. When Lyons arrived on the scene, he spoke with a witness who said a man had been walking between two apartments armed with a gun.

Lyons, an email from the sheriff’s office said, parked his cruiser and approached the east side of the apartment where the man had been seen.

“Deputy Lyons entered into the backyard of the residence when he saw the suspect, 47-year-old Todd Rowe, exit the southeast side of the residence armed with a handgun.”

Lyons, the sheriff’s office said, challenged Rowe and ordered him to drop his gun several times.

“Rowe would not follow commands to drop the gun and pointed the gun at Deputy Lyons,’ the email said. Lyons reportedly tried to move for cover. Rowe is then accused of tracking the deputy with his gun.

“Deputy Lyons was in fear for his safety when he fired five rounds from his department-issued handgun, striking Rowe once in the neck,” the email said.

Rowe was taken to a local hospital with injuries that are described as not life-threatening. He faces a count of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

The investigation into the shooting continues with Lyons out on paid administrative leave. Lyons was hired by the sheriff’s office in March 2016.

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