3rd Shooting Death In A Month Near Food Max, Leaders Want Peace

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — City leaders have grown frustrated with the frequent gun violence and killings on 18th Avenue South near Food Max. Gunfire exchanged between a 20-year-old and police officers on Wednesday marked at least the third fatal shooting near the store within a month.

City Councilwoman Deborah Figgs-Sanders said enough is enough with the shootings and killings that have happened in that area. After the police-involved shooting on Wednesday afternoon, she expressed her disappointment with the longstanding lack of peaceful communication among community members and police.

"When are we going to stop killing ourselves," she asked in a Patch interview. "When are we going to stop putting ourselves in those situations where we think that gunshots or carrying a gun will solve our problems? That is not where we are, and I don't want to have increased police presence. I don't want to put our officers in harm's way."

A 20-year-old man, Dominique Harris, died after an exchange of gunfire Wednesday with St. Petersburg police officers outside Food Max, 1400 18th Ave. S. Officers asked Harris to step outside a car after he showed them his identification. Investigators wanted to confirm his identity because a warrant was issued based on felony child abuse charges after Harris allegedly attacked a 15-year-old at a basketball court on Oct. 27.

Authorities said Harris responded to the officers by ramming his car into a patrol car and a resident's car, followed by shooting at the officers. Gunfire was exchanged.

Figgs-Sanders prays the community finally changes its mindset to peace. She said the "Enough is Enough" campaign focused on ending gun violence will include numerous conversations that teach healthy and safe responses.

Chief Anthony Holloway and Mayor Rick Kriseman held a news conference in front of the St. Petersburg Police Department on Thursday, and told reporters they want peace and patience during the investigation from the community as the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office investigates the shootings.

"We're building trust each and every day," Holloway said. "We're building a great foundation. I'm meeting with the NAACP on Monday. I have a meeting scheduled with the pastors. We gotta continue to educate, and as soon as we get the facts, we will release them to the community."

Kriseman said with social media it's hard not to jump to conclusions on one side or the other side. He requested for everyone to work together and when the investigation is finished, they will respond accordingly.

"Families suffering, grieving," Kriseman said. "I'm incredibly thankful for the bravery of these officers, both of whom should be OK. I'm also saddened by the loss of a man's life. On days like yesterday, it doesn't matter what we've accomplished—how safe St. Pete is, how improved the relationship is between our police department and our community or how much work we've done to create opportunities for young people. Nobody wants to hear about progress when one person is in the hospital and another is in a morgue."

A recent shooting death prior to Harris' occurred on Nov. 15 in a gathering outside Dread Pros & More Salon, 1600 block of 16th Street South, when a mother of two was killed in a drive-by.

On Nov. 14, a 22-year-old man was shot and killed during a fight at the Food Max parking lot.

Related Stories:

• Name Of Man Killed In Police Shooting Released, Officer Injured
• Police Identify Accused Killer In Shooting Mother Of 2
• Man Accused Of Killing 22-Year-Old In Parking Lot: Police