1 Dead in Deputy-Involved Shooting

A 34-year-old Dunedin man is dead after Pinellas County deputies say he came at them with a knife.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began to unfold around 10:44 p.m. Monday at the Oak Bend Mobile Home Park, 801 Main St. A disturbance call came in from the park around that time.

When deputies responded to that call, a woman told them everything was fine. After checking the area, they left.

Another call came in at 12:16 a.m. Tuesday about an armed man who was attempting to harm himself. When deputies arrived that time they found a man armed with a knife inside the home at lot No. 32.

“One deputy entered the residence and the suspect began to come towards the deputy, armed with the knife,” an email to media from the sheriff’s office stated. “The deputy began to retreat backwards attempting to exit the residence, commanding the suspect to drop his weapon.”

A second deputy standing outside the home saw the man coming toward the deputy with a weapon. Both officers, the email said, told the man to drop the weapon.

“The subject did not follow verbal commands and continued to advance toward deputies,” the email said. “Deputies, feeling threatened, then drew their guns and shot the subject.”

Michael Case, 34, who lived in the home, died from his injuries.

Deputies Jose Berrios-Collazo, 31, and Peter Eigo, 54, were not injured. Both have been put on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

Berrios-Collazo is a two-year veteran of the sheriff’s office. Eigo has been on the job for 27 years.