ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — An independent task force is investigating the death of a 48-year-old man who stopped breathing following a violent struggle with St. Petersburg police officers responding to a mental health call on Saturday morning.
The incident occurred around 10:52 a.m. on August 22, 2026, after a woman flagged down a St. Petersburg police officer to report that her adult stepson was experiencing a mental health crisis nearby and needed assistance.
Officers arrived at the residence at 7296 5th Street North to conduct a welfare check on Brian Michael Pepal. According to authorities, Pepal stepped outside after officers knocked on the door and immediately launched a physical attack against them…