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Clearwater Shooting Suspect Surrenders After Standoff At Hotel

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By NEIL JOHNSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 23, 2008

Updated: 11/23/2008 03:21 pm

A man wanted on charges of attempted homicide and shooting into an occupied building quietly surrendered to Clearwater police this morning after taking refuge in a room at the Comfort Inn Suites at 16598 N. U.S. 19.

Police said Steven Whitley, 20, fired five to seven shots at a house at 1634 Gentry St. in Clearwater just before 2 a.m. today. At least two of the shots went into the house, said Joelle Castelli, spokeswoman for the Clearwater Police Department.

The shooting stemmed from a domestic disturbance, she said.

About 3 a.m., relatives told police Whitley was in a room at the hotel. Police evacuated hotel guests from the floor where Whitley was hiding.

By 6:10 a.m. police SWAT units were called out. Police contacted Whitley in the room about 9:30 a.m. and within five to 10 minutes he surrendered, Castelli said.

"He came out without incident and surrendered," she said.

Whitley was taken to the Clearwater Police Department for questioning, she said.

Whitley, 2452 Chase Circle, Clearwater, was booked at the Pinellas County Jail on two charges of attempted felony murder, three counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling, felony stalking and a felon in possession of a firearm.

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