CLEARWATER, Fla. — Pinellas County deputies shot a man who drew a firearm on them Thursday afternoon in Safety Harbor, authorities say.
Investigators identified him as Robert Hubbard.
Investigators said they believe Hubbard carjacked somebody at gunpoint Wednesday in Hillsborough County, in addition to stealing a golf cart, both at gunpoint. The stolen car was then linked to an attempted robbery outside of an Outback in Trinity in Pasco County.
By Thursday, authorities learned the car was in Pinellas. Deputies tried to stop the driver – but Hubbard drove off, leading to a chase.
Investigators say deputies were warned by Hillsborough County officials that Hubbard was considered armed and dangerous and may have been planning a shootout with law enforcement.
During the pursuit, Hubbard drove through Clearwater and kept going. The chase ended when authorities deployed stop sticks in Safety Harbor, causing a tire to deflate.
Investigators say the armed man got out in the area of Philippe Parkway and Enterprise Road and pointed a gun at deputies.
Four deputies shot at Hubbard and he died from his injuries. They have been placed on paid administrative leave, routine in such a case.
An aerial view from Sky 10 showed a stretch of Philippe Parkway closed to traffic after the shooting, with several law enforcement vehicles at the scene.
The Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force is investigating the case, as is protocol to prevent any perceived conflicts of interest in these situations. In this case, Clearwater PD will be the lead agency because the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office was directly involved in the actual shooting.
Clearwater Deputy Police Chief Michael Walek said the armed man had an "extensive criminal record" spanning two decades.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
