Release updated on 05-13-26 at 10:02 AM

Update: Detectives arrested Darren Kegler (55) on drug trafficking charges.

St. Petersburg Police detectives determined that on April 15th, John Knight and Ronnie Dials entered Darren Kegler's duplex at 863 14th Avenue South to rob Kegler. Kegler was operating a drug house.

There was an altercation in which Dials and Kegler were shot. Dials died at the scene, and Kegler was treated at the hospital for his injuries.

John Knight (48) was arrested on April 17th for felony murder in the 1st degree, attempted felony murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

As the investigation progressed, detectives found one kilo of cocaine in Kegler's car, 463 grams of cocaine in his second vehicle, and 173.8 grams of cocaine in a container in his kitchen.

Kegler is charged with three counts of trafficking in cocaine and has a warrant for his arrest from Orlando for conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

Kegler was taken into custody on May 12th.

Release updated on 04-18-26 at 9:51 AM

Detectives arrested a suspect in a robbery with drug overtones at a duplex at 863 14th Avenue South on April 15th at 11:49 p.m., that left one man dead and a second man injured.

Arrested:
John Knight, (48)

• Felony Murder in the 1st degree
• Attempted Felony Murder
• Felon in possession of a firearm

Deceased Identified: Ronnie Dials, (56)

Investigators determined that John Knight and Ronnie Dials entered the duplex at 863 14th Avenue South to rob the resident. There was an altercation, and Dials and the resident were shot. Dials died at the scene, and the resident is still being treated at the hospital for his injuries.

This is still an active investigation.

Release updated on 04-16-26 at 9:28 AM

Officers responded to a duplex at 863 14th Avenue South shortly before midnight. Investigators determined that two men were shot during a home invasion robbery with drug overtones.

One man died at the scene and the other is being treated at the hospital for his injuries.

This is still an active investigation.