A St. Petersburg Police officer shot at an armed man Sunday night after officers said the man pointed his gun at them.
Officers responded to a call of battery at 155 5th Avenue South, near USF St. Petersburg's dormitories, police said. The complainant directed the officers to Shawn J. Culberson, 47 address at 144 Delmar Terrace South.
The male complainant at that address informed officers that Culberson had come to his residence and "sucker punched" him in the face. The two had gotten into a disagreement over a female acquaintance, police said.
According to reports, after officers arrived on the scene, Culberson was seen just inside the house holding a handgun and then pointed it at the officers as they approached.
Officer Jonathan Reeves, 27, drew his gun and fired one round at Culberson who was not hit and retreated back into his house, police said.
Culberson then exited the house unarmed, police said, and was taken into custody.
The gun found inside Culberson's house turned out to be a pellet gun. Culberson also claimed he did not know police officers were approaching his house.
Culberson is currently charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.