Car Driven Into Water At Gulfport Beach After Domestic Assault: Police

GULFPORT, FL — An abandoned car found in the water at Gulfport Beach is connected with a St. Petersburg Police Department investigation into a domestic assault, authorities said.

Antron Smith, 40, hit his domestic partner, a 25-year-old pregnant woman, several times with a tire iron Monday just before 1 a.m. in the Palm Aire Motel parking lot at 3250 34th Street N., SPPD told Patch.

After she broke away and ran across the street, he jumped in their car, a 2016 blue Toyota Scion, and drove in her direction, trying to run her over, police said. She was able to get out of his way, but Smith hit a parked pick-up truck and drove away from the scene.

Later that day, around 5 p.m., officers responded to a suicide threat on 12th Avenue S. Smith had gone to a family member’s home and was threatening to harm himself with a knife. Officers negotiated with him and were able to take him into custody, St. Pete police said.

The Scion was later found in the water at Gulfport Beach, about 40 feet from the shore, Gulfport Police Department wrote in a Facebook post.

“Gulfport’s involvement in this case was the removal of the vehicle from the water/beach front. Because this isn't our case, any details regarding the St Petersburg Police Department’s investigation and results should be inquired with them,” the agency wrote.

Smith faces several charges, including attempted murder in the first degree and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, St. Pete police said.