Prosecutor Says Suspect Killed 2 Officers in St. Petersburg Standoff, Rules His Death Justifiable
Reviewing a tragic crime scene in which two St. Petersburg police officers were killed and a deputy United States marshal was injured by an armed man hiding in the attic of city home, the Pinellas-Pasco state attorney has determined that the death of the suspect during an extended standoff involving multiple jurisdictions was a justifiable homicide.
His report also commends the officers involved for the efforts they made to rescue downed comrades, says the St. Petersburg Times.
The report, which provides additional details of what happened during the Jan. 24 standoff, says the police officers and federal marshall were wounded by the suspect, Hydra Lacy Jr., and says he was killed by police fire. It also says Lacy positioned the body of one of the slain officers and communicated with authorities in a manner intended to lure more police into his range of fire.
An internal police investigation, which is expected to take months, will now be conducted to determine whether proper procedures were followed during the standoff.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “‘Looking for Evidence,’ Authorities Demolish House Where 2 Cops Were Fatally Shot Yesterday”
ABAJournal.com: “Could Deaths of 2 Police Officers in Armed Standoff Have Been Avoided by Calling the SWAT Team?”