ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Detectives are investigating the death of a man following a confrontation with St. Petersburg police officers during a welfare check Saturday morning, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO).
PCSO said a St. Petersburg police officer was flagged down around 10:52 a.m. by a woman requesting help for her adult stepson, who was experiencing a mental health crisis at a nearby home, according to a news release.
Officers went to the residence at 7296 5th Street North and attempted to conduct a welfare check on 48-year-old Brian Michael Pepal. PCSO said Pepal exited the home and immediately attacked the officers.
During the struggle, officers took Pepal to the ground while defending themselves from the assault, according to PCSO. Once he was in custody, officers discovered he was not breathing and began CPR until paramedics arrived, per the release.
Pepal was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
PCSO said none of the force used by officers was considered intentional deadly force. Authorities noted Pepal had pre-existing medical conditions, and the official cause of death is pending an autopsy by the medical examiner.
One officer was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries suffered during the altercation.
The Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force is conducting the investigation, which remains ongoing pending autopsy results.
Under Florida’s Marsy’s Law, the names of the officers involved will not be released until 72 hours after the incident, PCSO said.
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