Knife-Wielding Man Critical Following Shooting By Police Officer

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Thong Hoot Bouphanh, 40, remains in critical condition after being shot by St. Petersburg Police Officer Sean Thompson Tuesday.

At 12:55 p.m., police received a call from a person in the neighborhood saying there was a suspicious man with a large knife pacing on the walkway over the interstate in the 2000 block of 27th Avenue North west of 20th Street.

Officers called negotiators to try to talk Bouphanh into giving himself up but he ignored their attempts. After 45 minutes, he began moving toward them holding the knife in an aggressive manner, forcing Thompson to shoot him.

Thompson is on administrative leave with pay while the investigation into the shooting is completed.

Bouphanh is facing two felony counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.