TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A probable cause affidavit is providing new details about the plastic surgeon who was arrested on suspicion of murder following the disappearance of Largo lawyer Steven Cozzi.

Tomasz Roman Kosowski, 44, was arrested Saturday after police stopped his vehicle in Tarpon Springs. He faces a first-degree murder charge in Cozzi’s death, but Cozzi’s body has not been found.

Although the motive remains unclear, the affidavit said both men were supposed to attend the same hearing by telephone the morning Cozzi disappeared.

Cozzi vanished Tuesday, and was last seen at his office at Blanchard Law, 1501 S Belcher Road. The firm’s managing partner, Jake Blanchard, told WFLA Cozzi went to the bathroom, but did not return.

According to the affidavit, the person who reported him missing had searched the bathroom and noticed blood smeared on the door, a stall and the bottom of a toilet. Police said Cozzi had left behind his wallet, car keys and cell phone. He was in the process of responding to an email and music was playing from his phone.

Investigators processed the scene and discovered a large quantity of blood was cleaned up from the bathroom floor. White fibers were found in the bathroom and in Cozzi’s vehicle. The suspect’s fingerprint was found in the building’s breaker room, the affidavit said.

The building’s surveillance cameras captured a Toyota Tundra arrive at Cozzi’s office around 8:32 a.m. the day of the supposed murder. Moments later, a man identified as Kosowski was seen entering the building, wearing a backpack and gloves, and carrying a large box.

Five minutes later, Cozzi arrived at his office.

Around 10:22 a.m., Kosowski was seen leaving the building in different clothes. He was pulling a cart that contained a red bag or blanket, which he was struggling to transport to the Tundra.

Police said their telephone hearing was supposed to begin at 10:30 a.m. Kosowski attended the hearing from 10:28 a.m. to 11:04 a.m., but Cozzi was not present.

Kosowski disconnected from the hearing and was captured at the scene of the crime moments later. Video shows him reposition the cart near the Tundra and struggle to get it into the bed of the truck.

Cozzi was never seen exiting the business, the affidavit noted.

The report said Kosowski drove past license plate reading camera on his way home to Tarpon Springs around 11:51 a.m. Tuesday. The camera captured an image of the cart in the bed of the truck with a red bag or blanket containing something resembling a human body.

Police said the Toyota arrived at Kosowski’s residence minutes later. At 4:58 p.m. Tuesday, his red Toyota Corolla was seen leaving the area of his home. Hours later, it showed up on tag readers in Miami.

On Thursday, police executed a search warrant on Kosowski’s home and found the same Tundra in his garage. Forensic investigators processed the vehicle and found blood in the bed of the truck, the driver’s side headrest and on the floorboard and garage floor.

Police said Kosowski bought the Tundra last year, but never registered it or recorded the title.

Police said Kosowski returned to Pinellas County Saturday and was stopped by police in Tarpon Springs. A search of his Corolla turned up a ballistic vest with “a substantial amount of blood” on it, red and white fibers, and a bag containing a taser, masks, duct tape, brass knuckles and “intravenous sedatives” with syringes.

“Due to the large quantity of blood located at the crime scene, the defendant’s home and vehicle, along with the fact that the subject removed a container large enough to conceal a human body and the victim was never seen exiting the business on surveillance it is believed that the victim is deceased and the defendant intentionally, by a premeditated design caused his death,” the affidavit said.

As Reported by WFLA

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A probable cause affidavit is providing new details about the plastic surgeon who was arrested on suspicion of murder following the disappearance of Largo lawyer Steven Cozzi.

Tomasz Roman Kosowski, 44, was arrested Saturday after police stopped his vehicle in Tarpon Springs. He faces a first-degree murder charge in Cozzi’s death, but Cozzi’s body has not been found.

Although the motive remains unclear, the affidavit said both men were supposed to attend the same hearing by telephone the morning Cozzi disappeared.

Cozzi vanished Tuesday, and was last seen at his office at Blanchard Law, 1501 S Belcher Road. The firm’s managing partner, Jake Blanchard, told WFLA Cozzi went to the bathroom, but did not return.

According to the affidavit, the person who reported him missing had searched the bathroom and noticed blood smeared on the door, a stall and the bottom of a toilet. Police said Cozzi had left behind his wallet, car keys and cell phone. He was in the process of responding to an email and music was playing from his phone.

Investigators processed the scene and discovered a large quantity of blood was cleaned up from the bathroom floor. White fibers were found in the bathroom and in Cozzi’s vehicle. The suspect’s fingerprint was found in the building’s breaker room, the affidavit said.

The building’s surveillance cameras captured a Toyota Tundra arrive at Cozzi’s office around 8:32 a.m. the day of the supposed murder. Moments later, a man identified as Kosowski was seen entering the building, wearing a backpack and gloves, and carrying a large box.

Five minutes later, Cozzi arrived at his office.

Around 10:22 a.m., Kosowski was seen leaving the building in different clothes. He was pulling a cart that contained a red bag or blanket, which he was struggling to transport to the Tundra.

Police said their telephone hearing was supposed to begin at 10:30 a.m. Kosowski attended the hearing from 10:28 a.m. to 11:04 a.m., but Cozzi was not present.

Kosowski disconnected from the hearing and was captured at the scene of the crime moments later. Video shows him reposition the cart near the Tundra and struggle to get it into the bed of the truck.

Cozzi was never seen exiting the business, the affidavit noted.

The report said Kosowski drove past license plate reading camera on his way home to Tarpon Springs around 11:51 a.m. Tuesday. The camera captured an image of the cart in the bed of the truck with a red bag or blanket containing something resembling a human body.

Police said the Toyota arrived at Kosowski’s residence minutes later. At 4:58 p.m. Tuesday, his red Toyota Corolla was seen leaving the area of his home. Hours later, it showed up on tag readers in Miami.

On Thursday, police executed a search warrant on Kosowski’s home and found the same Tundra in his garage. Forensic investigators processed the vehicle and found blood in the bed of the truck, the driver’s side headrest and on the floorboard and garage floor.

Police said Kosowski bought the Tundra last year, but never registered it or recorded the title.

Police said Kosowski returned to Pinellas County Saturday and was stopped by police in Tarpon Springs. A search of his Corolla turned up a ballistic vest with “a substantial amount of blood” on it, red and white fibers, and a bag containing a taser, masks, duct tape, brass knuckles and “intravenous sedatives” with syringes.

“Due to the large quantity of blood located at the crime scene, the defendant’s home and vehicle, along with the fact that the subject removed a container large enough to conceal a human body and the victim was never seen exiting the business on surveillance it is believed that the victim is deceased and the defendant intentionally, by a premeditated design caused his death,” the affidavit said.

As Reported by WFLA

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – A 20-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy have been arrested after they allegedly pointed and fired a gun at two Tampa Police Officers on Sunday evening.

According to the Tampa Police Department, two officers were on patrol in the 300 block of Gould Ct. around 5:16 p.m. when they heard gunshots near the Robles Park Apartments.

As the two officers began to approach a group, one man, later identified as Jabari Murphy, 20, aimed a gun at the officers and then fled on foot. After Murphy fled, police stated that a 15-year-old boy aimed at the officers and fired before fleeing the area.

After Murphy and the teenage boy fled, the two officers, who were not injured and did not return fire, chased after them and quickly arrested both suspects.

TPD said the officers recovered both weapons, a revolver, and a semi-automatic handgun.

“These officers were protecting a community and came under fire. This could have resulted in a very different and tragic outcome. I am extremely thankful that our officers were not injured,” Interim Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement. “I have already spoken with our State Attorney, Suzy Lopez, who has assured me her office will see these suspects prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I, once again, appeal to every member of our community to help us keep guns out of the hands of those who should not have them, especially juveniles.”

According to TPD, Murphy was charged with aggravated assault, armed in the commission of a felon, and carrying a concealed weapon. He was taken to Orient Road Jail.

As for the 15-year-old boy, he was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, armed in the commission of a felony, carrying a concealed weapon, and minor in possession of a weapon. He was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center.

The police department did not name the two officers involved, but stated that both officers are males in their early to mid-30s. One of the officers has served with TPD for approximately 3 years, and the second officer has been with the department for 5 years.

Since one of the suspects is a juvenile, WFLA.com will not be naming him. According to TPD, this is an active and ongoing investigation.

As Reported by WFLA

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (WFLA) – One person has died and three others were injured after a crash on Saturday night.

According to the Pinellas Park Police Department, the crash occurred at US 19, just north of Gateway Centre Blvd.

Authorities stated that three others were taken to nearby hospitals to be treated for their injuries. At this time, police have not identified the deceased and have yet to announce the severity of the victim’s injuries.

Investigators are still on the scene as the cause of the crash has yet to be determined.

As Reported by WFLA

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WFLA) – A driver is recovering after the Cape Coral Fire Department rescued them from a submerged car early Saturday morning.

According to CCFP, first responders were dispatched to NE 9th Ave. and NE 12th St. around 5:30 a.m. for reports of a car in a canal.

The fire department stated that since all firefighters within the department are rescue swimmers for “situations just like this,” firefighter Kyle Mann swam out to the submerged car and began to free the unconscious driver.

Once Mann reached the car, he was able to use a life hammer to break the car window. With assistance from the Cape Coral Police Department, officers were able to pull the driver, who had been trapped underwater, out of the car and onto the shore.

The driver was placed into an awaiting ambulance and taken to a nearby hospital, where they regained consciousness and were breathing.

CCFD divers then removed the car from the canal and cleared the area of any possible occupants.

“Great work by everyone involved!” the Cape Coral Fire Department wrote on its Facebook page.

As Reported by WFLA

HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation on Sunday night, according to reports.

Deputies said the investigation is being conducted on Casa Grande Circle in Spring Hill.

Authorities said there is no danger to the community and additional information will be provided when it becomes available.

This is a developing story that will be updated with information as we receive it.

As Reported by WFLA

(KTXL) — Two people were shot at a Sikh temple in Sacramento County, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said the shooting occurred around 2:30 p.m. at the Gurdwara Sacramento Sikh Society temple located on the 7600 block of Bradshaw Road. The area is near Gerber Road about five miles east of Highway 99.

The condition of the victims are unknown.

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Amar Gandhi said the shooting is not related to a hate crime and described the incident as a shootout between two men who knew each other.

Gandhi said the confrontation between the two men started as a hand-to-hand incident and turned into a shootout. One of the suspects is described as an Indian male while the other suspected shooter is in the hospital, Gandhi said.

Authorities are still searching for the other suspected shooter.

“One suspect during that fight shot a friend of the other suspect,” Gandhi said. “Once the other suspect, who didn’t get shot, gathered himself, he shot at the original shooter and then our second shooter ran off.”

According to an Instagram post, the temple hosted festivities on Sunday. Thousands of people were in attendance at the temple’s festivities.

A Sikh Society parade and celebration began taking place at 10 a.m. and festivities were set to continue until 5 p.m.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

As Reported by WFLA

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) – A Jacksonville police officer has been taken to a hospital with critical injuries after he was shot on Sunday, according to authorities.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the shooting occurred off Morse Ave. Police issued a statement on Twitter saying that Morse Ave. is closed between Firestone Rd. and Skylar Jean Dr.

Earlier in the day, the sheriff’s office ordered a shelter in place for residents in the area of Morse Ave. and Ridgeview Ave. as officers worked to get the suspect into custody.

The shelter-in-place has since been lifted for residents in the area, but authorities still ask citizens to avoid that area as it’s still an active scene.

This is a developing story that will be updated with information as we receive it.

As Reported by WFLA

HAINES CITY, Fla. (WFLA) – The Haines City Police Department is investigating after videos posted to social media showed a dispute between an officer and suspect while he was trying to arrest him.

According to authorities, the police department was “made aware of some videos that surfaced on social media,” where an officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a suspect who had been driving on a suspended license since October.

Officials said the traffic stop occurred on Wednesday at 11:06 a.m. when officer Justin Vasquez attempted to conduct a traffic stop for unlawful window tint on a vehicle near the intersection of 16th Street E and Melbourne Avenue.

As the driver Miranda Brundidge III, who was driving on a suspended license, saw officer Vasquez turn behind him, he pulled into a business, exited the vehicle, and ran a short distance before continuing to walk away from his vehicle.

Officer Vasquez then proceeded to exit his patrol vehicle and chase Brundidge on foot. As the officer was chasing him, he could see the handle of a firearm sticking out from Brundidge’s pants pocket.

Having seen the gun, officer Vasquez yelled at Brundidge to “get on the ground,” over 10 times, but the driver still refused to comply.

According to police, Vasquez was able to take one of Brundidge’s hands and tried to get the second hand to secure him with handcuffs, but Brundidge continued to resist. Since the officer was alone, the Haines City Police Department said he attempted to gain compliance and forced Brundidge to the ground, since he was still “readily accessible” to the firearm.

When Brundidge still refused to comply with verbal directions, officer Vasquez struck his upper body in an attempt to once again gain compliance. However, this time it worked and Vasquez was able to handcuff Brundidge behind his back.

Then, as officer Vasquez began to escort Brundidge to the patrol car, officials said he continued to resist by tensing not his arms and pulling away, but with his legs as well. Since Vasquez was alone at the scene, he was unable to remove the firearm from the driver’s pocket until backup arrived.

Due to the nature of the incident and Brundidge still resisting, Vasquez had to “aggressively direct the suspect onto the hood of his car, which would allow him to maintain control of the still armed suspect with less effort,” according to the police department.

In a press release, the Haines City Police Department said a citizen, who was videotaping the incident, can be heard telling Brundidge to “just chill.”

On Sunday, the Haines City Police Department held a press conference to discuss the nature of the videos and officer Vasquez’s actions, where Police Chief Greg Goreck said that the department isn’t’ saying all the actions are justified, but they’re trying to provide background to the videos posted.

“We are not saying that all the actions here were justified, but what we are trying to do is give a little bit of background, a little bit of insight into what the small fragmented segment videos that were released on social media,” Chief Goreck said.

“I looked at the videos, and I can tell you that the fragmented videos that were presented online gave me some concern too,” he said. “It does look quite forceful. I admit to you. I mean, I’m standing up here, I’ll tell you, it does look forceful.”

Despite the videos showing forceful actions, Chief Goreck reiterated that officer Vasquez’s acted the way he did to prevent a deadly confrontation.

“Officer Vasquez was doing everything he could to avoid a deadly confrontation,” Goreck said. “Vasquez had to fight with the subject to get him into custody, and this easily could have turned into a deadly force situation.”

According to authorities, Brundidge was arrested and charged with driving on a suspended license and resisting an officer. He was also issued two citations for illegal window tint, the reason Vasquez attempted the traffic stop in the first place.

Police said Brundidge’s license was suspended for failure to pay court costs. Following the altercation, Brundidge did not admit to driving the vehicle and “adamantly denied driving the vehicle, despite video to the contrary.”

“His past history consists of traffic violations to include a previous charge of knowingly driving on a suspended driver’s license,” the police department said in a statement.

As Reported by WFLA

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – A woman was arrested after she allegedly shot and killed a man on Facebook Live in Mississippi on Saturday.

Officials with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) said deputies responded to a domestic violence call in Columbus shortly before 8 a.m.

They found that a 28-year-old man, who lived at the home, had died from a single gunshot wound.

According to LCSO officials, the victim and 28-year-old Kadejah Michelle Brown were in an argument that turned physical. Brown then allegedly shot the victim, which officials said was captured on Facebook Live.

They said evidence was found at the scene, including a handgun.

Authorities confirmed the man was Brown’s husband, who was trying to leave the home.

Brown was arrested and charged with murder. She was booked into the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.

A bond wasn’t set for Brown Saturday.

“There was a history of domestic violence between Brown and the victim. This was a tragic and senseless murder, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the victim. Fortunately, Brown is in custody, and we look forward to the criminal justice system holding her accountable,” said Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins.

As Reported by WFLA

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A Tarpon Springs man was charged with first-degree murder in regard to missing person Steven Cozzi, who police said disappeared under suspicious circumstances on Tuesday.

According to a release from the Largo Police Department, 44-year-old Tomasz Kosowski was charged with murder in the first degree for his alleged connection to the disappearance of Steven Cozzi.

On Tuesday, March 21, officers received a report that Cozzi had left his office at 1501 S Belcher Road, leaving behind his wallet, car keys, vehicle, and cell phone.

However, officers later learned he was never seen exiting the building.

Office workers told WFLA’s Shannon Behnken the office lobby was shut down and established as a crime scene. Authorities later found a “strong chemical odor” coming from the men’s bathroom where small drops of blood were found.

“Further investigation found a significant amount of blood in the same bathroom,” the release added. “Detectives then began looking for a suspicious person and vehicle that were seen at the office building the same time as the victim.”

Once Kosowski was identified as a potential suspect, authorities obtained a search warrant to search his home in Tarpon Springs.

“Evidence obtained from the search warrant” led authorities to stop Kosowski on Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Tarpon Springs where he was arrested.

The department said the body of Steven Cozzi remains missing as of this report.

An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to call Detective Bolton at the Largo Police Department at 727-587-6730.

As Reported by WFLA

DENVER (AP) — A 17-year-old student was found dead in a wooded mountain area outside Denver late Wednesday after authorities say he wounded two administrators in a shooting at his Denver high school where students and parents were already fed up about a rash of recent violence and lack of action by officials.

The shooting occurred earlier Wednesday at East High School in Denver, not far from downtown, while two administrators searched Austin Lyle for weapons, a daily requirement because of the boy’s behavioral issues, authorities said. Lyle fled after the shooting.

Park County Sheriff Tom McGraw said the body was discovered Wednesday not far from the student’s car in a remote mountain area about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Denver, near the small town of Bailey, in Park County. The town had been ordered to shelter in place while officers from a number of agencies including the FBI combed the forest.

The Park County coroner’s office confirmed in a Facebook post that the body was Lyle’s. Cause of death was not released, pending the completion of an autopsy.

The shooting occurred at a school shaken by frequent lockdowns and violence, including the recent killing outside the school of a classmate that prompted East High School students to march on the Colorado Capitol earlier this month.

Parents who converged on the 2,500-student campus Wednesday voiced frustration that officials had not done enough to protect their children.

“I am sick of it,” said Jesse Haase, who planned to talk with her daughter about taking her out of classes for the rest of the school year.

Some parents questioned why the school district became one of many in the U.S. that decided to phase out school resource officers in the summer of 2020 amid a summer of protests over racial injustice following the killing of George Floyd by police.

Amid the flurry of criticism over lax security, Denver school officials said after the shooting that they would once again put armed officers into the city’s public high schools.

There were no school resource officers on campus at the time of Wednesday’s shooting, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said.

Gun violence at schools has become increasingly common in the U.S. with more than 1,300 shooting incidents recorded between 2000 and June 2022, according to government researchers. Those shootings killed 377 people and wounded 1,025, according to a database maintained by researchers.

The Colorado shooting was at least the second to occur at or near a school this week in the U.S. On Monday, a 15-year-old was arrested in the fatal shooting of a student outside of a Dallas-area high school.

Wednesday’s shooting happened just before 10 a.m. in an office area as Lyle was undergoing a search as part of a “safety plan” that required him to be patted down daily, officials said.

The gun used in the shooting was not immediately recovered, Chief Thomas said.

One of the wounded administrators was released from the hospital Wednesday afternoon and the second was in serious condition, said Heather Burke, a spokesperson for Denver Health hospital.

Hundreds of students skipped class March 3 and marched in support of stricter gun laws following the death of Luis Garcia, 16, who was shot while sitting in a car near East High School.

In June 2020, amid a summer of protests over racial injustice following the murder of George Floyd, Denver Public Schools became one of the districts around the US that decided to phase out its use of police officers in school buildings. That push was fueled by criticism that school resource officers disproportionately arrested Black students, sweeping them into the criminal justice system.

After Wednesday’s shooting, two armed officers will be posted at East High School through the end of the school year, and other city high schools also will each get an officer, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero said.

In a Wednesday letter to the city’s Board of Education, Marrero said his decision violated district’s policies but added he “can no longer stand on the sidelines.”

“I am the leader of this district who is charged with keeping our scholars and staff safe every day,” he wrote. The school board said it supported the decision.

Students from East High School had been scheduled to testify Wednesday afternoon before the Colorado Legislature on gun safety bills.

“This is the reality of being young in America: sitting through a shooting and waiting for information just hours before you’re scheduled to testify in support of gun safety bills,” said Gracie Taub, a 16-year-old East High School sophomore and volunteer with Students Demand Action in Colorado.

Lyle transferred to East High School after being disciplined and removed from a high school in nearby Aurora last school year because of unspecified violations of school policies, said Cherry Creek School District spokesperson Lauren Snell.

Marrero said safety plans for students are enacted in response to “past educational and also behavioral experiences,” adding that it’s a common practice throughout Colorado’s public schools. Officials did not give further details on why Lyle was searched daily.

But daily patdowns are rare, said Franci Crepeau-Hobson, a University of Colorado Denver professor specializing in school violence prevention.

“Clearly they were concerned,” said Crepeau-Hobson. “I can’t imagine they’d do that if there wasn’t a history of the kid carrying a weapon.”

Safety plans often follow threatening or suicidal behavior from a student, said Christine Harms with the Colorado School Safety Resource Center.

In response to the shooting, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeated President Joe Biden’s calls for stricter gun laws, including bans on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, and for Congress to “do something” on gun control.

Wednesday was also the second anniversary of 10 people being shot and killed at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado.

As Reported by WFLA

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (WDAF) – Six years: that’s how long Overland Park Police say a dead body was at a home southwest of Kansas City. Relatives said the body of Mike Carroll wasn’t there alone. As many as four other people may have been living with that body since 2016.

Overland Park Police found Carroll’s body on a bed when they visited the home in October 2022. He was 81 years old at the time of his death.

The Social Security Administration is now in charge of the criminal investigation into what happened, a spokesperson for the Overland Park Police Department told Nexstar’s WDAF.

Other family members, blindsided by the news, told WDAF they are shocked the lies lasted this long. Family said investigators told them that they were able to look at the pacemaker and determine Carroll’s heart stopped on July 1, 2016.

WDAF connected with Carroll’s nieces who live out of town. They said Mike was living with his daughter all this time, or at least they thought he was living with her.

“Just so confused about the whole thing. You know, how can this happen? And how can he lay there for that many years and nobody reported,” said Janet Carroll, a niece of Mike Carroll.

The home on West 99th Terrace has fallen into disrepair, with gutters falling off the roof.

Neighbors still remember Carroll.

“Yeah, I know him,” said Ro Nguyen, who lived next to the home. “And after that, a couple months, I didn’t see him. I said, ‘Maybe he passed away or went somewhere?’ I don’t know.”

Janet, who lives in Iowa, told WDAF the coroner ruled her uncle’s cause of death was natural, but the family questions whether neglect was also a factor.

When Carroll’s nieces would ask about him, Janet said those living with him would offer excuses, saying he was sick or they were out of town.

“It was a different story every time. You know, he didn’t feel good. He was sleeping. He was eating,” said Mike’s niece Stefani Blubaugh, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

When WDAF’s crews visited the home, which now appears to be in disarray, nobody answered the door but a dog barked at them.

It isn’t yet clear how or why others lived in the home with Carroll’s body for so long.

“You know they had to smell it. You know everybody in that house had to know what was going on,” Blubaugh said. “You know how a body decomposes and liquifies and that crazy stuff. I mean, it’s just, again, horrific.”

Nguyen told WDAF he never noticed a smell and that if he had, he would have called the police.

Some of the family members who connected with WDAF said their hope is that Carroll’s remains will be buried with his wife in Leavenworth.

But so far there has been no movement in coordinating that plan as family members are not really talking to each other as a part of the fallout from this revelation. It’s also unclear how far along the criminal investigation is – no charges have been filed as of Wednesday.

As Reported by WFLA

RELATED VIDEO: Bill that would expand Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law clears another hurdle.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The administration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is moving to forbid classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades, expanding the controversial law critics call “Don’t Say Gay” as the Republican governor continues a focus on cultural issues ahead of his expected presidential run.

The proposal, which would not require legislative approval, is scheduled for a vote next month before the state Board of Education and has been put forth by state Education Department, both of which are led by appointees of the governor.

The rule change would ban lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity from grades 4 to 12, unless required by existing state standards or as part of reproductive health instruction that students can choose not to take.

DeSantis has leaned heavily into cultural divides on his path to an anticipated White House bid, with the surging Republican increasingly pursuing a conservative agenda that targets what he calls the insertion of inappropriate subjects in schools.

Spokespeople for the governor’s office and the Education Department did not immediately return an emailed request for comment.

The measure comes after DeSantis championed a law last year that prohibited instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade.

The law drew widespread backlash nationally, with critics saying it marginalizes LGBTQ people, and kicked off a feud between the state and Disney, which publicly opposed the law.

At the governor’s request, the Republican-dominated Legislature voted to dissolve a self-governing district controlled by Walt Disney World over its properties in Florida, and eventually gave DeSantis control of the board in a move widely seen as a punishment for the company opposing the law. The board oversees municipal services in Disney’s theme park properties and was instrumental in the company’s decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.

The rule change was first reported by the Orlando Sentinel.

As Reported by WFLA

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – A deadly officer-involved shooting that occurred last week was justified, according to a newly released ruling from the State Attorney’s Office (SAO).

On March 12, deputies with the St. Petersburg police department were dispatched around 6:52 p.m. for reports of a vehicle burglary in the 6300 block of 60th Avenue North.

Police stated that a witness noticed the car burglary suspect, Zion Bostick, 23, and went to confront him, taking a video of the suspect before police arrived. The suspect then fled on foot northbound and was spotted by police at 62nd Avenue before he took off once again – this time running southbound.

According to police, the K-9 handler Matthew Aitken, 40, and Sergeant Jacob Viano, 49, jumped several fences chasing the suspect. They spotted the suspect near a church at 6300 62nd Avenue North before they ended up in a backyard on 60th Avenue when the K-9 picked up on something.

According to St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway, Bostick was waiting for them and jumped out, firing several shots at the K-9 and its deputy handler.

“The suspect was waiting for them,” Holloway said. “As the handler and the K-9 cleared the building, that’s when the suspect shot at the deputy, striking him several times. Then he turns his gun towards the sergeant, shot several times at the sergeant. The sergeant returned fire. At this point, I can tell you, the suspect is deceased.”

Sgt. Viano was not hit during the gunfire. Witnesses heard the scene unfold.

“All of a sudden we heard eight or nine gunshots,” said Mark Burke. “Then all of a sudden the cops where flying everywhere, they were coming from everywhere.”

According to police, Aitken was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg, where he has since been released. The K-9 was not hurt during the shooting.

Sgt. Viano was also not hurt and remained on the scene. He was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation. The Pinellas County Use Of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force is looking into the shooting.

On March 22, 2023, State Attorney Bruce Bartlett concluded the investigation in a letter to Sheriff Bob Gualtieri saying:

I have determined that K-9 Deputy Matthew Aitken and Sergeant Jacob Viano were in the lawful performance of their legal duties when they pursued Zion Bostick for the felony charge of Burglary to a Conveyance when they confronted Bostick at the rear of the residence at 6385 60th  Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida, and commanded Bostick to raise his hands. When Bostick responded by shooting Deputy Aitken three times and shooting at Sergeant Viano three times, Sergeant Viano was justified in utilizing deadly force to kill Bostick who was engaged in the forcible felony of Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer. Therefore, it is the conclusion of the Office of the State Attorney that the death of Zion Bostick was justifiable homicide pursuant to F.S. 776.05(1), F.S. 776.012 and F.S. 776.032.

State Attorney Bruce Bartlett

As Reported by WFLA