Linus F. Phillip, 30

Largo, Florida
March 23, 2018

Cause of death: Not Yet Known

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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

Linus F. Phillip, 30, was fatally shot by a Largo police officer at the Wawa gas station at 1215 Missouri Ave. N on Friday, March 23, 2018 according to Largo police.

The incident started just before 6 p.m. Largo police Officers Matthew Steiner and Prentice Ables pulled over a black Nissan sedan driven by Phillip at the gas station due to illegally tinted windows, officials said.

While talking to Phillip, police said the officers smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

As officers tried to detain him, police said Phillip jumped into the driver’s seat of the Nissan and tried to drive away.

Steiner found himself trapped halfway in the vehicle as Phillip put it in reverse and accelerated with the driver’s side door open, police said. Ables was able to get out of the car’s way.

While Steiner was being dragged by the car, police said he drew his firearm and fired "in self-defense," police said. The officer then fell out of the car and found the open driver’s side door "brushed" over him.

The Nissan, still going in reverse, hit another car, crashed into the gas station’s bollards and then stopped between two gas pumps.

Officers then started medical treatment for Phillip and called for paramedics, police said.

Phillip was later pronounced dead at Largo Medical Center.

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