Police Shoot Suspects in Car Stolen in Gulfport

Two suspects in a vehicle reported stolen in Gulfport were shot by St. Petersburg Police Monday.

St. Petersburg Police say that the vehicle drove directly at officers, striking one of them, according to St. Petersburg Police.

Officer Brandon Bill suffered minor injuries, when the vehicle drove past the officers, who were trying to take the occupants into custody, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department.

Shaquelle F. Sweat, the 19-year-old driver, was shot in the arm. A 16-year-old female passenger was wounded in the shoulder, according to police.

According to police, at 3:43 p.m., Monday, April 15, officers spotted a white 2014 Nissan Altima reported stolen in the City of Gulfport.

The vehicle had been seen pulling into the alley and backing into a parking
spot in the 1800 block of 26 Street South, in south St. Petersburg.

As officers approached the car, Sweet drove directly at two officers, according to police.

The officers were identified as Richard Bishop, 30, and  Brandon Bill, 31.

Both officers drew their firearms and shot multiple rounds into the car as
it came at them. Officer Bill was struck slightly by the car as it sped past,
but did not sustain any significant injury.

Officer George Graves, 29, also shot at the vehicle multiple times.

The car then came to an abrupt stop. Sweet jumped out and started running away.

The 16-year-old female remained in the vehicle, and was found to have a bullet wound to the shoulders. She was treated by paramedics and transported to Bayfront Medical Center with non-life threaten injuries.

Sweet was captured after a brief pursuit and had a bullet wound to the arm. He was transported to Bayfront Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The shooting is still under investigation by detectives from the Homicide and
Internal Affairs Units. Charges against both suspects is pending.

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