ST. PETERSBURG, Fla — St. Pete Police have arrested Cornelius Cornbread Whitfield after they say he killed three family members and injured another woman during a SWAT situation Tuesday at the home he lived in.
Officers responded to the 2900 block of Emerson Avenue South around 4 p.m. after a woman claimed that she had been shot and took off for a neighbors house.
Once on scene, police learned there were other people inside a home and that the accused gunman could be inside with them.
Nearby homes were evacuated as the SWAT team knocked down the front wall of the home to get inside, according to a press release.
Inside police say they found three adults dead and a 2-year-old girl who was alive and unharmed.
Police later said the three adults who died were related to Whitfield. Police identified Sallie Whitfield, 83, as Cornelius' great grandmother, Patricia Whitfield-Sharpe, 66, as his grandmother, and Antonio Graham, 45, as his uncle.
"Cornbread" had previously served time and was released from prison in November 2020.
Two months later, on Feb. 2, he became wanted by police on homicide and attempted-homicide related charges, accused of killing one man and hurting another at the Emerald Pointe Apartments. At the time, police alerted the public that Whitfield was to be considered "armed and dangerous."
Following Tuesday's events, police say Whitfield is facing charges for four homicides and two attempted homicides.
Police Chief Anthony Holloway said all those Whitfield is accused of killing or injuring were known to him.
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