Suspect accused of killing St. Pete worker, mom of 4 taken into custody after standoff in Lee County: SPPD

St. Petersburg police are investigating a shooting that claimed the life of a city employee on Wednesday. 

Investigators are searching for a suspect after a 47-year-old mother working for the city of St. Petersburg was shot and killed Wednesday in what officials believe was a targeted, possibly domestic, attack.

St. Petersburg Police Investigation

What we know:

A 47-year-old mother of four who worked for the city for about 10 years died after being shot Wednesday at 12:35 p.m. in the 4100 block of 12th Ave S., according to St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway. 

Holloway said investigators believe the shooting was targeted, likely domestic in nature, and not a random act. 

He added that there was some type of argument and the suspect got into the cab of a front loader and shot her several times.

Police said they believe the shooting was targeted and possibly domestic in nature.

Suspect in custody

Around 4 p.m. the Florida Highway Patrol said it located the homicide suspect barricaded in his vehicle off I-75 southbound and shots were fired during a stand-off. 

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, troopers were involved in the shooting and the suspect was hit. However, it is unclear if the suspect was struck by a trooper's bullet, a Lee County deputy's bullet or if he fired upon himself. 

The suspect was taken to Gulf Coast Hospital where he is in custody.

FDLE is investigating

The Florida Highway Patrol said it located the homicide suspect in Lee County and he was stopped and barricaded in his vehicle off I-75 southbound. 

Grief counselors were arranged for city employees on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday. 

Unanswered Shooting Details

What we don't know:

Authorities have not confirmed whether the city employee was actively working when the gunfire erupted. 

Officers also have not released the total number of shots fired during either incident or disclosed the suspect's name publicly. 

The Source: The information in this story was gathered from St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway, who detailed the incident during a news briefing, as well as the St. Petersburg Police Department. 

St. PetersburgCrime and Public Safety