Man Shot By Pinellas Park Police Threatened 'To Kill Everybody'

PINELLAS PARK, FL — Body-worn camera video showing the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Jared Daniel Rudderham by a Pinellas Park police officer early Tuesday morning was released by Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri during a news conference Wednesday.

Pinellas Park police were called to a home at 5000 94th Ave. N., Pinellas Park, at 12:40 a.m. after receiving a call about a domestic dispute.

According to the sheriff, who is heading the officer-involved shooting task force, Rudderham and his ex-girlfriend, who had a 7-year-old child together, had broken up in August 2022, and the ex-girlfriend had moved in with her grandmother in the house on 94th Avenue.

Rudderham's family told the detectives that Rudderham was taking medication for anxiety and depression and had been distraught since the breakup.

"He had been distraught for a long time over the breakup with his girlfriend and was very jealous with her relationships with other men," Gualtieri said.

On Monday, he texted her, saying, "I'm going to kill everybody."

Then, around midnight on Tuesday, Rudderham, who lived at 5855 Mangrove St. N, St. Petersburg, showed up at his ex-girlfriend’s house and began tapping on her window, trying to convince her to come outside, Gualtieri said.

Related: Pinellas Park Police Officer Fatally Shoots Man During Domestic Call

She knew he owned a gun, but when she asked him if he had it with him, Rudderham didn't respond. She told police that he was making statements about wanting to kill himself and said he was acting "scary calm."

Growing increasingly concerned, the ex-girlfriend called her mother, who called the police. The ex-girlfriend than told Rudderham the police were on their way.

Pinellas Park police arrived at 12:40 a.m. and, while Officers Cameron Williams, Christian Raymond and Ryan Poletz talked with the ex-girlfriend at the front door, Cpl. Graham Fox went behind the fenced backyard where he could see Rudderham pacing back and force, holding a cell phone in one hand and a canned beverage in the other. Fox saw no indication that Rudderham had a gun and radioed the information to the officers at the front door.

With Williams in the lead, the officers went around the west side of the house, through the gate to the backyard. Williams, holding his service revolver, called out, "Hey Jared."

Gualtieri said that's when Rudderham pulled a semi-automatic Glock 19 pistol from his front waistband, racked it to load a bullet in the chamber, and pointed it at Williams.

Williams fired five rounds at Rudderham, including a shot to the head, killing him. The shooting occurred at 1:03 a.m., just a minute after he texted his ex-girlfriend the message, "I guess it's popping," which Gualtieri said was slang meaning things were going to get really bad.

When police examined Rudderham's gun, officers found a round in the chamber and 12 rounds in the magazine. In addition, Rudderham had another magazine containing 15 rounds.

Gualtieri said Rudderham had a lengthy criminal history that included burglary, carrying a concealed weapon, resisting arrest without violence, DUI, aggravated domestic assault with a deadly weapon, improper exhibition of a firearm or dangerous weapon, false imprisonment, criminal mischief, possession of marijuana, disorderly conduct and domestic battery.

However, his last arrest was six years ago, and he had no felonies that would prevent him from legally carrying a gun.

Williams, 30, who has been with the Pinellas Park police since May 21, 2014, has been placed on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated.

"We're just thankful that the girlfriend and none of the officers were hurt," Gualtieri said.

He encouraged anyone who experiencing domestic violence or disputes involving threats to reach out to the police.

“People should be comfortable calling us,” he said. “When you see these types of indicators, reach out. Give us an opportunity to try and intervene.”

Victims can call 2-1-1 for immediate help or contact the Pinellas County domestic violence shelters CASA at 727-895-4912 or Haven of RCS at 727-442-4128.