State Attorney`s Office Releases Results of Investigation into Deputy-Involved Shooting; Shooting Justified (26-050)

PINELLAS COUNTY - The State Attorney's Office (SAO) released the results of their investigation into a shooting involving two Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:03 a.m. on May 22, 2026, at 1052 Candler Road in Clearwater. The results of the SAO investigation were released on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

State Attorney Bruce Bartlett concluded in a letter that was sent to Sheriff Bob Gualtieri stating, “As a result of the investigation conducted by this Office, I have determined that FTO Deputy John Drish and Deputy Recruit Anthony Darnell were in the lawful performance of their legal duties when Adam Siauciunas, while committing an aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, defied their lawful commands and pointed a Phoenix Arms .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun at the uniformed deputies. The force used by FTO Deputy John Drish and Deputy Recruit Anthony Darnell was a reasonable response to the circumstances and Adam Siauciunas’ actions. Additionally, FTO Deputy John Drish and Deputy Recruit Anthony Darnell had every reason to be justifiably in fear for their own life, and the lives of the other deputies in the immediate area. Therefore, it is the conclusion of the State Attorney's Office that the death of Adam Siauciunas was a justifiable homicide, pursuant to F.S. §776.012, F.S. §776.032, and F.S. 782.02.”

A copy of the letter from the State Attorney's Office is available here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gs4cTqIg3MIa4suSAaFc0O2mCh3RUSTM/view?usp=sharing

Additional Information:

Deputy John Drish
Age: 29
Date of hire: May 29, 2018

Deputy Anthony Darnell
Age: 24
Date of hire: January 3, 2023

Adam Charles Siauciunas (Suspect – Deceased)
DOB: 12/16/1986