News
Suspect and victim died after shooting at Stout’s Auto Service in Largo
Avoid the area north of Ulmerton Road on Belcher due to active shooting scene with injuries.
On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at approximately 11:26am, Largo dispatch received multiple 911 calls of an active shooter at the Stout’s Automotive located at 1801 S Belcher Road. Upon the first officer’s arrival (11:30am), they located two individuals with gunshot wounds in the office area.
Both subjects were transported to local hospitals, where they were later pronounced deceased. A primary and secondary clear was conducted by Largo PD, Clearwater PD and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office SWAT personnel to locate potential additional victims and/or the perpetrator(s). Once the scene was secured, it was turned over to detectives.
During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that former customer, Eugene Frank Becker (DOB: 08/26/1945) arrived at Stout’s Automotive in a rental car and entered the business.
Becker approached the front desk and asked for the owner, Jodie Stout (DOB: 01/04/1971), by name. Upon confirming that he was speaking with the owner, Becker produced a firearm and discharged the firearm in Stout’s direction. Stout retrieved his own firearm and returned fire in Becker’s direction.
The two exchanged multiple rounds of gunfire, during which time both Becker and Stout suffered life-threatening injuries.
After speaking with a family member of Becker’s, detectives learned that he had visited Stout’s Automotive in 2021 for service to the vehicle he owned at the time. He was displeased with the service he received and may have felt as though he was overcharged.
On 09/18/2023, Becker was involved in a motor vehicle crash in Pinellas Park. The crash resulted in a hospitalization and the total loss of his current vehicle. A family member indicated that Becker has been somewhat depressed and extremely frustrated since the date of the recent accident. Based on the totality of the circumstances, it appears as though Becker responded to Stout’s Automotive with the intent to shoot the victim in retaliation for the perceived wrong from 2021.
Next of Kin have both been notified.
