Teaching Piano Lessons for 80 years. At 95-years old, Elba Ruilova still teaches piano lessons four afternoons a week from her west Tampa home. She began teaching when she was 15.
LARGO — State prosecutors concluded that bailiffs were justified in killing a gunman who opened fire last week in the lobby of the County Courthouse.
But a mystery remains: What prompted Glen Powell's unprovoked attack?
Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie McCabe ruled the May 7 shooting by bailiffs B.J. Lyons and Marvin Glover "justifiable homicide." He also praised them for preventing "what could have been a tragic incident of immeasurable proportions for the patrons and employees of the St. Petersburg courthouse."
The bailiffs spoke publicly about the incident for the first time Thursday. The Sheriff's Office also released grainy security footage of the shootout.
Lyons, 58, remembers pulling out his gun and firing as soon as Powell reached for his handgun. Powell struck Lyons once, but the bullet bounced off a microphone on Lyons' shoulder.
"There was a look that was kind of undescribable," Lyons said of Powell, 30. "It's the first life I have taken. … I think about it every day."
Glover, 57, said he was immediately suspicious of Powell, who refused to remove his backpack. Glover opened fire as Powell exchanged gunfire with Lyons.
Powell fired two shots. The deputies fired 11, hitting Powell six times. It was over in 12 seconds.
It is unclear who fired first, McCabe's investigation says. Lyons recalls firing first, but a witness said Powell fired first.
"We were the first line of defense," Glover said. "If he had gotten past us, there's no telling how many lives he could have taken."
Besides his gun, Powell had 79 rounds of ammunition, a gas mask with a pair of prescription eyeglasses attached inside and a large curved khukuri knife.
Glover and Lyons, who are Pinellas sheriff's deputies, have returned to their jobs as bailiffs at the courthouse at 545 First Ave. N.
Powell's friends and family have said he was going through a divorce and visiting antigovernment Web sites before the shooting. He was an Eagle Scout and former Mormon missionary who left the Air Force in 2006 as his marriage disintegrated. An Air Force friend said Powell was often depressed.
Powell's family could not be reached for comment.
McCabe's investigation said Powell and his mother visited a lawyer the day of the shooting. His response to a divorce petition his wife filed was due that day.
When they left the lawyer's office, Powell's mother, Virginia, 66, suggested going straight to the courthouse. But Powell told her she couldn't go with him.
When she asked why, Powell told her she would find out later. She asked if he was going to do something stupid.
Powell answered that he wasn't going to do anything and told her not to worry about it.
Abhi Raghunathan can be reached at araghunathan@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8472.
[Last modified: May 17, 2008 03:42 PM]
Comments on this article
by Courthouse Employee
May 17, 2008 1:23 AM
On behalf of most Pinellas County citizens, I would like to thank both Deputies for making sure our courthouse remains safe. I hope the Deputies at the Criminal Justice Center would act just as quickly if facing such a threat.
by jenks
May 16, 2008 5:18 PM
No shooting is justified unless the Uhurus say it is!!! Speak up Joe Waller!!!
by Pete
May 16, 2008 2:04 PM
Another piece of dirt that saved all us taxpayers the price of housing him for the remainder of his life by challenging our find deputies at the courthouse.Many, many thanks, deputies.I do hope you sleep well. You saved us all from a maniac.
by Chip
May 16, 2008 10:33 AM
Much thanks to deputies Lyons and Glover. Two brave men who prevented God knows what. We appreciate your courage and quick-thinking. Real life heroes.
by Was it Really a Suicide?
May 16, 2008 9:48 AM
What a tragedy for all involved. Couldn't the VA have identified and intervened earlier to help this depressed veteran?
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