Task Force Investigating Deputy-Involved Fatal Shooting

CLEARWATER, FL — Detectives are investigating a fatal deputy-involved shooting Tuesday morning in unincorporated Clearwater.

The fatal shooting occurred at 2175 Indigo Drive.

Detectives with the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Task Force, an independent agency set up to ensure that the investigation is neutral, is looking into the use of deadly force.

Clearwater Police Chief Dan Slaughter said the man who was killed, 32-year-old Josue Arias, showed up to his former girlfriend’s home armed with a handgun deputies believe he stole from her. His former girlfriend and another man went to separate rooms to hide. While hiding, the woman called 911.

The woman was able to escape when deputies arrived, but intentionally left her phone in the home without hanging up on the 911 call. That allowed deputies to listen in and keep track of Arias as he moved through the house.

Slaughter said Arias eventually came to the front door holding the man hostage, pointing a gun at his head. He eventually released the man who fled into the yard.

Arias went back inside the house and came out a short time later, still armed with the handgun and acting in a threatening manner. At 4:49 a.m., fearing for the safety of themselves and neighbors in the area, deputies fired, hitting Arias. Arias was pronounced dead at the scene.

During a news conference Tuesday morning, Slaughter said he didn't know how many times Arias was shot. He said it doesn't appear as if Arias actually shot at deputies, although he may have fired his gun during the standoff.

He said Arias made comments during the standoff about not wanting to go back to prison.

“The deputies fired in response to his reckless nature of coming out and looking for, basically, a firefight,” Slaughter said.

Arias had a lengthy arrest record that included armed burglary in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

The deputies who fired their weapons were: Deputy William Byrd, hired on April 9, 2018; Deputy Cameron Frame, hired on April 9, 2018; Deputy Cristian Miller, hired on May 29, 2018; and K9 Deputy Claudio Dimundo, hired on Jan. 22, 2007.

The four have been placed on administrative leave by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, which is standard procedure in a deadly-force incident.

Detectives from the Clearwater Police Department, St. Petersburg Police Department and Pinellas Park Police Department are working together on the task force investigating the shooting.