Home Invasion Suspect Injures One in Causeway Crash, Dumps Weapon

Dive teams were searching causeway waters late Thursday afternoon, where they believe Forrest King may have dumped a weapon used in a Palm Harbor shooting (Oct. 6).

King was arrested minutes after a three-car crash on Causeway Boulevard occuring shortly after reportedly fled the scene of the shooting in a stolen vehicle, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda reports.

As of 11 p.m. Thursday, the weapon had not been located, authorities report.

King, 22, of Seminole reportedly kicked down the door of a Palm Harbor home on Avery Avenue, where Matthew Beck, 28, and Kristina Teuber, 33, were inside. King then demanded property and shot Beck, a Seminole resident, in the stomach at about 2:13 p.m., Barreda reports.

King reportedly fled in Beck's silver Nissan Xterra going south on Bayshore Boulevard (Alt 19).

A patrol deputy driving north on Bayshore Boulevard recognized the Xterra as the vehicle just reported stolen as it neared the intersection of the McDonald's in Causeway Plaza, Barreda said.

The patrol deputy followed in active pursuit of the Xterra as it turned onto Causeway Boulevard. At 2:25 p.m., as the Xterra crested the causeway drawbridge, the deputy witnessed the suspect's car rear-ended a 2006 GMC Envoy, which caused it to spin around and flip onto the hood of a Dodge Journey in the eastbound lane, Barreda said.

Deputies report that King then fled the Xterra and ran into the water. Deputies apprehended King with assistance from bystanders who were also in the water.

Driver of the Envoy, Catherine Teats, 78, of Oldsmar was injured as a result of the crash. She was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Driver of the Journey, Daniel Gott of Waterford, MI, was not injured.

King was taken to with minor crash injuries. He was arrested on charges of armed robbery, aggravated battery and grand theft auto, Barreda reports. King has seven other arrests since April 2009, mostly on misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief, but also on charges related to marijuana and resisting arrest.

Beck, the home invasion victim, was reportedly airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He underwent surgery for his wounds, authorities report.

Beck has two prior arrests. One arrest was made on felony charges of oxycodone possession in July.

Teuber was not injured during the home invasion, Barreda reports.

The investigation is ongoing.

[Updated 11:04 p.m., Oct. 6, 2011]