FDLE: Marshal's Shooting Of Suspect Accidental, Justified

A U.S. marshal who shot a suspect last month did so accidentally after colliding with the suspect with his gun drawn during a chase, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The FDLE has released an 83-page report about the shooting of David Christopher Sills, who had been sought on felony drug warrants when he was shot Oct. 16. Sills, 26, was later arrested at St. Joseph's Hospital on felony cocaine trafficking warrants.

The shooting incident, while unfortunate, was justified, according to a document signed Thursday by Hillsborough State Attorney Mark Ober.

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 part of 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 to get him to comply.

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.

"At the moment of the collision, Deputy Marshal Vinski's gun discharged, striking Sills in his right shoulder," according to a report noting Vinski's version of events. "Immediately after the pistol fired, Deputy Marshal Vinski stated he felt what he described as heat from the weapon's discharged on the right side of his neck and face. Due to the collision, Deputy Marshal Vinski's gun flew out of his hand and onto the ground approximately five feet away. Deputy Marshal Vinski was able to see the weapon outside Sills' reach.

"Deputy Marshal Vinski immediately began yelling "AD, AD, AD!" Deputy Marshal Vinski wanted to notify other officers that he had not been shot by the fugitive and he had not intentionally fired his weapon (an Accidental Discharge had occurred)."

Sills continues to be held without bail at Falkenburg Road Jail.