LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A suspect wanted in connection with a St. Petersburg homicide is in custody after barricading inside a vehicle on I-75 in Lee County, leading to a standoff that shut down the highway for hours Wednesday afternoon.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene after troopers located the suspect’s vehicle in the southbound lanes of I-75.
Dramatic video sent to WINK News appears to show law enforcement taking the suspect into custody shortly after shots were fired during the standoff, just after 5 p.m.
Drone video also captured part of the scene, showing a large law enforcement presence on I-75 during the standoff:
The standoff temporarily closed all northbound and southbound lanes of I-75 near Exit 128 Wednesday afternoon.
According to FHP and LCSO, two northbound outside lanes later reopened while southbound traffic was diverted off the interstate as emergency crews continued operations on scene.
Southbound traffic is actively being diverted off the interstate.
CREDIT: MICHAEL SPAMPINATO
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, troopers were pursuing a solo vehicle from St. Petersburg after the driver became wanted in connection with a homicide.
The St. Petersburg Police Department said officers responded shortly after noon Wednesday to a reported shooting in the 4100 block of 12th Avenue South.
Police said the victim was a 47-year-old woman who worked as a City of St. Petersburg sanitation technician for 12 years. She was shot and killed while sitting inside her front-loader work vehicle, according to police.
Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle, and the suspect barricaded themselves within the car. Efforts are being made to negotiate a peaceful surrender; however, troopers believed gunshots were fired.
According to law enforcement on the scene, they have cleared the area and that officers on site are “shaken” but no injuries.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is expected to release the identity of the suspect shortly.
WINK News spoke with St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway, who said the victim, a 47-year-old mother who worked for the city, was shot and killed during what police believe was a domestic dispute.
The woman, who had worked for the city for around 10 years, was shot several times by a suspect who got into the cab of a front loader during an argument. Police do not know if she was working or on a lunch break at the time of her death.
St. Petersburg police believe this was a domestic shooting and not a random act. The suspect remains at large.
“All we know right now is that she was here, some type of argument was started, and during the argument the suspect got into the cab of the front loader and shot her several times,” Chief Anthony Holloway said.
St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch addressed the tragedy and thanked the police department for their response.
“I want to thank the St. Pete Police Department for their work with… They will find the suspect,” Welch said. “This is a difficult day for the families that have lost a loved one, a difficult day for our St. Pete team. Our administration has already put in place counselors for our team and victims’ advocates for the family. We’ll help the family get through this, help the St. Pete team get through this, and the suspect will be brought to justice. And again, Chief, thank you and your team for following up on this.”
The city has provided counselors for employees and victims’ advocates for the family.
Stay tuned to WINKNews.com, WINK News App, streaming, and on air for any new developments on this story.
Nicholas Karsen is a Digital Specialist and has been with WINK News since May 2023.