Gunman Killed By SWAT After Hours-Long Standoff In Pinellas Park Neighborhood

Police say the suspect threatened a victim with a rifle before the fatal confrontation with officers.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:18am

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A 39-year-old man was killed by police in Pinellas Park, Florida after a lengthy standoff. Officers were called to the scene on March 31, 2026 after the suspect, Ryan Lecompte, allegedly threatened someone with a rifle. The Pinellas Park SWAT team was deployed when Lecompte refused to communicate and remained barricaded inside the home. After several hours, SWAT officers used an MRAP vehicle to breach the home, at which point Lecompte was seen armed with a shotgun and raised it towards the officers. Two officers then fired four rounds, fatally striking Lecompte.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges law enforcement face when responding to armed and barricaded suspects, and the potential for deadly force to be used when a suspect is perceived as an immediate threat. The investigation into the officers' use of force will likely examine whether their actions were justified given the circumstances.

The details

Police were called to the home on Briar Ridge Court North in Pinellas Park around 11:33 a.m. on March 31 after a 911 caller reported that Lecompte had threatened him with a rifle. When officers arrived, they identified Lecompte and attempted to open a dialogue, but he refused to communicate and remained barricaded inside. The Pinellas Park SWAT team was then activated. After several hours of unsuccessful attempts to establish contact, SWAT used an MRAP vehicle to breach the home's front door. A drone was then deployed inside, and footage showed Lecompte armed with a shotgun, which he then raised towards the officers. Two SWAT officers, Corporal Wesley Ducheney and Officer Ryan Poletz, then fired four rounds at Lecompte, fatally striking him. Neither officer was injured.

  • The incident unfolded on March 31, 2026, around 11:33 a.m.
  • After several hours of unsuccessful attempts to establish contact, SWAT breached the home.

The players

Ryan Lecompte

A 39-year-old man who was killed by police after a standoff in Pinellas Park, Florida.

Corporal Wesley Ducheney

A SWAT officer who fired four rounds at Lecompte, fatally striking him.

Officer Ryan Poletz

A SWAT officer who fired four rounds at Lecompte, fatally striking him.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri

Defended the officers' actions, noting the immediate threat posed by the suspect.

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What they’re saying

“We don't need to wait for him to shoot, especially with a guy that came out already three times with an AR15 and directly pointed that AR15 at the victim.”

— Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Pinellas County Sheriff

What’s next

The Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force has taken over the case and the investigation remains ongoing.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the difficult decisions law enforcement must make when responding to armed and barricaded suspects who pose an immediate threat. The investigation will likely examine whether the officers' use of deadly force was justified given the circumstances.