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Clearwater police now say officer, not suspect, fired first shot

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TBO.com

Published: November 2, 2009

CLEARWATER - The Clearwater Police Department clarified its rundown of a shooting, saying a suspect did not fire at an officer before the officer fired at him.

Neither the suspect nor the officer was struck with a bullet in the Saturday night incident.

The suspect, Wilson Geathers Jr., 48, of 608 Spruce St., Clearwater, was charged with second-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of cocaine, said Elizabeth Watts, Clearwater's public safety spokeswoman. Geathers was also wanted on a warrant charging him with failing to pay child support.

About 9:45 p.m. Saturday, police began receiving reports of shots fired on Eldridge Street. A man was said to have been firing shots into the air following a spat with his girlfriend, police said.

Officers canvassed the area, and one found someone on the Pinellas Trail who matched the description of the shooter, Watts said. The man, later identified as Geathers, was also armed.

When the officer approached Geathers, Geathers bolted, but at one point he turned and pointed a gun at the officer. Initially, police said Geathers fired his weapon when he turned, but now they say that was not the case. The officer fired when Geathers pointed his weapon at him, and then Geathers returned fire, Watts said.

Other officers arrived and arrested Geathers on Maple Street, Watts said.

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