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Clearwater Police Shoot, Kill Suspect

Wayhe Falana Jr. | Clearwater Police | Crime

One Clearwater police officer was hit but was not injured.

CLEARWATER – A man is dead and a police officer was hit but not wounded after a shooting this morning (Dec. 26), according to the Clearwater Police Department.

Wayne Falana Jr., 35, died at the scene.

Police said officers were sent to a 1444 Gulf to Bay Blvd. to check the welfare of Annie Vann, 33. Vann had contacted a family member and reported her boyfriend was “beating her up”. The family member also reported that Vann sent them a Facebook Messenger message stating, “Help, call 911, 1444 Gulf to Bay Blvd. He has a gun”.

At about 2:26 a.m., multiple officers contacted Vann at the back door to 1444 Gulf to Bay Blvd. While talking to Vann, Mr. Falana appeared from behind Vann inside the apartment and opened fire on the officers. Officers scrambled for cover while Mr. Falana fired multiple rounds at them from a Cobray swd, M-11, 9mm. Officer Thomas Dawe, 41, was struck in his boot and a few bullets went through his clothing but he was not injured..

As the officers took cover, Mr. Falana ran to the front of the address and began shooting through the front glass door, ultimately running into the roadway, still armed with a firearm. Officers returned fire in the roadway in front of 1444 Gulf to Bay Blvd.; striking him multiple times. Mr. Falana was pronounced dead at the scene.

Annie Vann | CLearwater Police | TB Reporter
Annie Vann

Gun | Clearwater Police | CrimeVann fled the scene when Mr. Falana initially opened fire on the officers but voluntarily came to the police department early this afternoon where she was being questioned.

Four officers fired their weapons: Dawe, Michael Spitaleri, 33, Robert Main, 32, and Zachary Senter, 27. They will be placed on paid administrative leave while separate and independent investigations are conducted by the Office of the State Attorney, the Clearwater Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, and the Office of Professional Standards.

 

Photos of Wayne Falana, Jr., Annie Vann and the gun Mr. Falana used courtesy of the Clearwater Police Department.

Clearwater Police | Officer-Involved Shooting | Crime | Tampabay News

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