Seminole Woman Kills Self After Pointing Gun At Deputy

SEMINOLE, FL -- The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said a Seminole woman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after she battered a man during a neighbor dispute and then pointed a gun at a sheriff's sergeant.

According to the sheriff's office, at 3:24 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, deputies were called to a residence at 9549 86th Ave. N. in Seminole for a complaint of a battery.

When deputies arrived, 44-year-old Jason Suhadolnik told them he was outside his town home working on his truck underneath the carport when he was approached by a neighbor, 65-year-old Cheryl Karpinecz.

Suhadolnik told deputies that Karpinecz was angry and confronted him because he was working on his truck in front of his home. Suhadolnik said that they got into a verbal argument and Karpinecz punched him in the chest.

Suhadolnik said he told Karpinecz that he was calling the police. Karpinecz walked back toward her town home at 9535 86th Ave. N.

Deputy Obed Munoz was speaking with Suhadolnik near Karpinecz's residence when Sgt.. Tommy Rassier approached Karpinecz's home to speak with her about the alleged battery. Deputies say Rassier approached the front of Karpinecz's residence and saw Karpinecz inside through the sliding glass door. He was approaching the sliding glass door when Karpinecz pointed a silver revolver at him.

Rassier sought cover and yelled to Munoz for assistance. Karpinecz opened the front door to her home and stood in the doorway while deputies gave her verbal commands. Karpinecz refused the deputies' directions and retreated back into her home.

Deputies set a perimeter around the residence and spent more than four hours trying to establish communication with Karpinecz but received no response.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team was activated and, at 8:23 p.m., SWAT Team members entered Karpinecz's residence and found her dead on a bed from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to her head.

No deputies were injured. Deputies say Karpinecz had a history of mental health issues and Baker Acts.

Video via Pinellas Sheriff

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