Update: Largo Police Release Name Of Man Killed By Officer Friday

LARGO, FL – Largo Police have identified the man who was shot and killed by a Largo Police officer Friday, March 23 at 5:55 p.m.

Linus F. Phillip, 30, was shot by Officer Matthew Steiner when he reportedly trapped Steiner between his car and some concrete stanchions at Wawa on 1215 N. Missouri Ave.

According to the Largo Police, Steiner and Officer Prentice Ables were on patrol when they noticed a Nissan Altima with illegally tinted windows at the Wawa.

They pulled over to speak with Phillip and, in the process, smelled marijuana emanating from Phillip’s car. When they confronted Phillip, he reportedly jumped into the driver’s seat of the Nissan and tried to drive away.

Steiner, a seven-year member of the Largo Police, became trapped between the door of Phillip’s car and some concrete stanchions when Phillip put his car in reverse and accelerated.

As Steiner was being dragged by Phillip's car, he reportedly fired his gun several times in self-defense. Steiner fell out of the door of Phillip’s car and was scraped as the car door passed over him. Phillip continued to back up and then slammed into another car and more stanchions.

His car finally stopped between some gas pumps.

Phillip was taken to the Largo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Steiner was transported to Morton Plant Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Phillip was out of prison on the Early Inmate Release program. He served two stints in prison for the sale and possession of cocaine and methamphetamine. He also had previous arrests for fleeing and eluding and tampering with evidence.

Largo Police found a large quantity of crack cocaine, powdered cocaine, marijuana and cash in Phillip’s car Friday.

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Image via Largo Police