One Man Dead After Opening Fire on Clearwater Officers

Clearwater, Fla. (970 WFLA) - One man is dead after Clearwater Police say he opened fire on officers when they went to check on a woman at an apartment on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. 

According to police, 33-year-old Annie Vann sent a message to a family member on Facebook messenger saying "help, call 911, 1444 Gulf to Bay Blvd.  He has a gun." She also contacted that family member saying that her boyfriend was "beating her up." 

Officers went out to the apartment and while speaking with Vann, police say 35-year-old Wayne Falana, Jr. opened fire from behind her. 

Officials say several officers exchanged gunfire with Falana as they tried to escape and take cover behind their patrol cars.  

Falana ran from the apartment out towards Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and continued firing at the officers. 

Falana was shot and killed during the incident.

A modified firearm with a high-capacity magazine officials say was used in the shootout was found at the scene.

Police are now looking for Vann after she fled the apartment during the shootout. A booking photo provided by the Clearwater Police Department is shown below.  She was last seen today wearing a cheetah-print sweater with plaid pajama pants and has died her hair green. 

Anyone with information about where Vann may be is urged to call 727-562-4317.

One officer was shot in the boot but was treated at the scene. 

Four officers who were involved in the shooting are now on paid administrative leave while separate and independent investigations into their conduct are underway, including the State Attorney's Office, Clearwater Police Criminal Investigations Division and the Office of Professional Standards.  


Photo of Wayne Falana, Jr. - Courtesy: Clearwater Police Department
Booking Photo of Annie Vann - Courtesy: Clearwater Police Department.  Police say Vann fled the scene during the shootout and are actively searching for her.
Firearm recovered from Wayne Falana, Jr. after shooting - Courtesy: Clearwater Police Department

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