Man With Military Rifle Fatally Shot By Police Was Actually 11th-Grader With Airsoft Gun

TARPON SPRINGS, FL — Tarpon Springs police thought they were protecting the public from a man who was pointing a military-style rifle at drivers when they shot and killed the man Saturday night.

During a news conference Monday afternoon, Tarpon Springs Police Chief Jeff Young said the man who was fatally shot by police was actually a 17-year-old 11th-grader at Tarpon Springs High School. The gun he was pointing at passing drivers was an airsoft rifle that shoots nonlethal plastic projectiles, most commonly used in team games.

At 9:27 p.m., Tarpon Springs police responded to a report of a man walking down Pinellas Avenue near Tarpon Avenue, pointing a military-style rifle at people driving past him.

When police arrived, they saw the person aim the gun at several cars. He then pointed the rifle at the officers. The two officers fired at him, striking him several times.

Tarpon Spring police officers gave the person first aid until he was taken to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point where he was pronounced dead.

Afterward, the officers were shocked to discover the rifle wasn't real and the person they shot was a high school student named Alexander King.

At the time, said Young, the two responding officers had no way of knowing it was a teen with a fake gun.

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Body camera video shows the two officers "running toward the threat" while another video shot by a witness shows the teen putting the "rifle" to his shoulder, racking it and then "taking aim at the officers" who were using a car for cover.

“The two officers in fear for theirs and the lives of others fired multiple rounds each at the subject," Young said.

Together, the officers fired 12 rounds at the teen who could be heard in the body camera video telling officers to "shoot me" before they fired. Seven rounds were shot from a patrol rifle and five from an agency handgun.

Young offered his "thoughts and prayers" to both the teen's family and friends as well as the officers and their families.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office and Pinellas County Sheriff's Office forensic unit are conducting an investigation into the shooting. The outcome of the investigation will be made public once it is complete.

Young said the Tarpon Springs Police Department is also conducting an internal investigation to make sure policies were followed. Young said both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.

King had 22 interactions with law enforcement before Saturday night — 11 with the Tarpon Springs Police Department and 11 with other Pinellas County law enforcement agencies including two felony arrests.

One arrest was for battery on a school board employee on Sept. 27, 2017. The other was for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon on Dec. 5, 2018.

Grief counselors will be at Tarpon Springs High School through tomorrow for any students and staff who need help.

See related story: Man Fatally Shot By Police After Pointing Rifle At Drivers