Two Suspects Shot, as Car Speeds Toward Officers, Police Say

Two suspects in a stolen vehicle were shot by St. Petersburg Police Monday, after 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 toward 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 who was a passenger in the car was wounded in the shoulder, according to police. (Editor's note: On Tuesday, both suspects have been released from the hospital and taken into custody. Read details below.)

According to police, at 3:43 p.m., Monday, April 15, officers assigned to the Street Crimes Unit 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.

As officers approached the car to take the occupants into custody, Sweat accelerated and 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 discharged multiple rounds into the car as it came at them. Officer Bill was struck slight by the car as it sped past, but did not sustain any significant injury.

As the car made its way to the alley near Auburn Street, Officer George Graves, 29, shot at the vehicle multiple times.

The vehicle proceeded past Auburn Street and continued west through the alley south of 18th Avenue. 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.

UPDATE, Tuesday, April 16: Both suspects have been released from the hospital.

Sweat faces charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer (2 counts),  violation of probation for grand theft , possession of crack cocaine and having no valid driver's license.

The female minor with him was taken to the Juvenile Detention Complex and charged with possession of crack cocaine.

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