ST. PETERSBURG, Fla — St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman and Police Chief Anthony Holloway responded briefly to Wednesday's officer-involved shooting. One officer was shot and the accused shooter, 20-year-old Dominique Harris, died as a result of the shootout.
Another officer was injured, but she was not shot and her injuries were minor, according to Chief Holloway.
Holloway said the officer who was shot was a veteran of the department and is expected to be okay following surgery that happened overnight.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating the shooting, per the established Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force protocols. Because of this, neither Mayor Kriseman nor Chief Holloway could give specific updates on the shooting.
Both the mayor and police chief are scheduled to appear later this afternoon when Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri plans to give an update on the shooting during a press conference at 3 p.m.
In the meantime, both asked for the public's patience in waiting for the official results of the investigation, cautioning against "jumping to conclusions" before the facts are all gathered and reported.
"Please continue to lift up our city," Kriseman said Thursday.
In an official statement, Mayor Kriseman offered his thanks for the officers' bravery as well as condolences for Dominique Harris' family.
"I am incredibly thankful for the bravery of these officers, and that they should be okay. I am also saddened by the loss of a man's life," Kriseman said. You can read his full statement here.
Chief Holloway said it was the "longest ride of my life getting there" after he heard the news that one officer was shot and another officer was potentially injured; and that call was one no chief wishes to receive.
You can watch the full press conference here.
“The rise in deaths in our community is not just alarming, but tragic, and there is no true justice when nothing can replace the loss of a loved one,” Florida State Rep. Michele Rayner-Goolsby wrote in a statement later Thursday evening. “I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of equitable justice and accountability within our law enforcement and I intend to continue that. I am working diligently with our local elected officials and our faith and community leaders to find permanent solutions and prevent the loss of another life.”
RELATED: Pinellas County law enforcement set to create new task force to investigate use of deadly force
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