Chief of Police
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
(727) 893-7550
police.stpete.org
NEWS RELEASE
Report number: DFTF-25-002
Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force Video Release
Release updated on 04-09-25 at 11:24 AM
The Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force is still actively investigating the incident that occurred on April 1st that began with a traffic stop at 1:29 a.m. and ended with several deputies firing their weapons about 35 minutes later. This is still an ongoing investigation, but to honor our commitment to transparency, we are releasing portions of the body and dash cameras.
Due to the large number of body and dashboard camera videos involved, we edited a compilation of several videos to show a timeline of what led up to the shots fired.
Click to see the transcript of this video.
Updated Summary of April 1 Incident
At 1:29 a.m., at 113 Street North and Park Blvd., a Pinellas Deputy attempted a traffic stop on a red Toyota hatchback for running a red light. The driver, Marina DeFilippo, had a brief verbal exchange with the deputy, then drove away. She eventually turned onto Gulf Blvd.
Indian Shores Police then initiated a felony traffic stop on Gulf Blvd. at 177 Avenue West and they saw her with a gun in her hand. She ignored commands to stop and did a U-turn and headed northbound on Gulf Blvd.
Near 20254 Gulf Blvd, Pinellas Deputies used their MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle to perform a pit maneuver that spun the Toyota around. DeFilippo continued to drive towards a Deputy standing behind his open patrol car door. Several deputies fired shots in an attempt to stop her.
After hitting the patrol car door and injuring the Deputy, DeFilippo continued driving away as deputies fired their weapons. She crashed head on into another patrol car, finally coming to a stop.
DeFilippo suffered three non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and was transported to the hospital.
Name Correction
Release updated on 04-01-25 at 9:01 AM
Correction to the first name of one of the involved deputies: Deputy Kyle Kilian.
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Deputy-Involved Shooting
Release posted on 04-01-25 at 8:03 AM
Detectives assigned to the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force are investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Indian Shores.
This morning, Chief of St. Petersburg Police Anthony Holloway released the following preliminary information on this active investigation. You can watch the video below.
At 1:29 a.m., at 113th Street North and Park Blvd., a Pinellas Deputy attempted a traffic stop on a red Toyota hatchback for running a red light. The driver, Marina DeFilippo,initially stopped, then drove away. Deputies later used stop sticks but the vehicle continued west with flat tires to Gulf Blvd and went north.
Indian Shores Police then initiated a felony traffic stop and saw her point a gun at him. She rammed one of their patrol vehicles and continued northbound on Gulf Blvd.
Near 20254 Gulf Blvd, Pinellas Deputies used their MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle to perform a pit maneuver and stop the Toyota. They ordered DeFilippo out of the vehicle and fired less lethal (bean bags and pepper balls). She tried to drive away, crashing into vehicles. Seven deputies fired their weapons and De Filippo was struck by gunfire. She suffered life-threatening critical injuries but is stable at this time at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital.
One deputy suffered a minor injury during the crash and is also being treated.
The following Pinellas Deputies were involved in the shooting and have been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation:
- Lt. Thomas Montgomery
- K9 Corporal Justin Fineberg
- Corporal Brian Hirshman
- Corporal Tyler Reidy
- Deputy Melanie Leib
- Deputy Michael Kilian
- Deputy Alberto Ortiz
***Gulf Blvd. is closed to all traffic from the Walsingham Bridge south to 197 Avenue East and is expected to remain closed for several hours for the investigation***
In 2020, the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force was created to ensure the investigations conducted into law enforcement use of deadly force are thorough, complete, and objective. The purpose of this task force is to make sure that law enforcement officer-involved shootings in Pinellas County are investigated by an independent agency and not by the agency involved in the use of deadly force.
Suspect's gun
Chief Holloway providing the press with an update
St. Petersburg Police Media Relations - (727) 893-7550
YOLANDA FERNANDEZ - Public Information Officer