TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hillsborough Inmate Disputes FDLE Report On His Shooting

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 20, 2008

David Christopher Sills says a Florida Department of Law Enforcement report on his shooting is filled with lies.

The agency stands by its report, which states that the U.S. marshal who shot Sills in October did so accidentally after colliding with Sills with his gun drawn during a chase. The FDLE released an 83-page report this week on the shooting of Sills, who was being sought on felony drug warrants when he was shot Oct. 16.

In a phone interview from Falkenburg Road Jail, Sills, 26, said the report is wrong, that the U.S. marshal who shot him never collided with him and, in fact, was standing about 20 feet away, behind a fence.

"Even ballistics will show I wasn't shot up close," he said.

The FDLE's report speaks for itself, and a forensic analysis shows the findings to be accurate, FDLE spokeswoman Trena Reddick said.

Sills, of Tampa, was struck in the torso about 11:30 a.m. Oct. 16 at The Club at Hidden River, a condominium complex off Fletcher Avenue near Interstate 275, where the deputy marshal and Tampa police tried to arrest him. The joint effort was under the fugitive task force, said Jim Madden, special agent in charge of FDLE's regional office in Tampa.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Keith Vinski collided with Sills during a pursuit, and Vinski's firearm discharged, according to the report's investigative summary. Sills continued resisting law enforcement, and Deputy U.S. Marshal Ron Lindbak used a Taser on him.

Vinski later told investigators he had approached Sills at full speed, trying to tackle Sills and take him into custody, but that Sills turned away, and he collided with Sills' back. The gun discharged, striking Sills in the right shoulder, according to the report.

"Why didn't they use proper procedure and chase me down?" Sills asked. "He's chasing me with a gun out."

Sills continues to be held without bail at the jail.

"I got shot in the back and survived by the grace of God," he said.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin contributed to this report. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT