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Features
State Attorney Wants To Recuse Himself In Police Shooting Probe
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Earlier this week, Hills- borough County State Attor- ney Mark Ober requested that Governor Rick Scott appoint a State Attorney to investigate a police shooting. Attorney Ober made the re- quest in a letter to Governor Scott.
In the letter, Attorney Ober said his office will be required to make a final de- termination if criminal pros- ecution will follow. He stated that he has been acquainted with the family of Hillsbor- ough County Sheriff’s Deputy Caleb Johnson for several years.
Attorney Ober wrote, “...I am a personal friend of the family of Caleb John- son. I have known Deputy Johnson’s mother, father, uncle and grandmother for a number of years. I have been to their house and visited with them socially, and I am a regular custody in their fam- ily-owned restaurants.”
He further said, “This in- vestigation needs to be con- ducted in a prompt, thorough, fair and transpar- ent manner. The determina- tion of whether or not the shooting was lawful should be made by a State Attorney whose impartiality cannot be questioned. To avoid any ap- pearance of impropriety, and to enhance our community’s trust regarding the fairness of the process and the inde- pendence and neutrality of the State Attorney that will review this incident, I must disqualify myself from this
ATTY. MARK OBER Hillsborough County State Attorney
matter and request that you appoint another State Attor- ney to handle all matters re- lated to this incident.”
Former Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson is the deputy’s uncle.
Family Attorney
Comments Attorney Rick Ter-
rana, who is representing the Riggins Estate said his of- fice was aware of the letter sent to Governor Scott.
“I think in light of the rea- soning, it was the right and honorable thing to do.
“He (Attorney Ober) met with the family, extended his condolences, and ex- plained it to them in great de- tail.”
The Fatal Shooting
On the morning of August 30th, Levonia Riggins, III, 22, died after being shot dur- ing the execution of a search warrant at his home.
On August 31st, the Hills- borough County Sheriff’s Of- fice stated in a press release, “On August 30th, at approxi- mately 8 a.m., SWAT mem-
LEVONIA RIGGINS, III
... Fatally wounded by Hillsborough County Deputy
bers responded to the resi- dence located at 1432 Long- wood Loop in Tampa to execute a court-authorized search warrant for illegal nar- cotics. This was the result of a month-long investigation as deputies had made purchases for illegal narcotics from Lev- onia Riggins.”
The release stated that all of the occupants in the home had exited and advised deputies that Riggins was still inside the house and probably in the rear of the residence.
“After making numerous commands for Riggins to exit the residence, Deputy Johnson visually located Riggins in the bedroom, at which time Johnson per- ceived Riggins as an imme- diate threat and fired one shot striking Riggins,” the press release said.
Riggins, who was not armed, died as a result of his injury. There were no wit- nesses to the shooting.
Deputy Johnson has been placed on administra- tive leave with pay pending the outcome of the investiga- tion.
Sheriff Comments On Shooting Of Unarmed Man
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
At approximately 8 a.m., on Tuesday, August 30th, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team went to a Clair Mel home to execute a search warrant. The warrant was issued because one of the residents at the home, 22- year-old Levonia Riggins, III, had allegedly sold drugs to undercover officers.
When deputies entered the residence, everyone was ordered outside. Riggins, who was in a rear bedroom did not leave the home. At some point, Deputy Caleb Johnson encountered Rig- gins and fired a single round from his department-issued weapon.
Riggins died as a result of the injury.
After the shooting, there were several demonstrations in the area condemning the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office and stating that they were not listening to the people.
During a telephone inter- view, Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee dis- cussed the case.
Sheriff Gee said his of- fice immediately released as much information as possible because the investigation into the shooting was continuing. He further stated that he met with leaders in the commu- nity and did what he thought was right.
“First, I extend my condo- lences to the Riggins family. I have not spoken before be- cause I wanted to wait for the appropriate time after I have
DAVID GEE Hillsborough County Sheriff
received all of the official findings in fairness to the family and the deputy. I have to keep an open mind and I didn’t want to say something and then later have to retract it.
“People automatically jump on one side or the other, but I have to remain objec- tive. I have to look at all of it and it takes time. We have to look at the physical evidence, talk to witnesses and the process takes time. We re- leased everything that we could when the shooting first happened in order to keep problems to a minimum. I’m asking that everyone be pa- tient, reasonable, and let the truth come out,” Sheriff Gee said.
He further stated that his office wants to assure the Riggins family, the commu- nity of Clair Mel and the citi- zens of Hillsborough County, that the Sheriff’s Office will fully cooperate with the in- vestigation and allow the facts and the law to dictate the outcome.
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