By BRAD ****ERSON | Highlands Today

SEBRING The fatal shooting of a Sebring man on July 31 by a Highlands County Sheriff's deputy was deemed justified by the state attorney's office.

In a Sept. 29 letter to Sheriff Susan Benton, Assistant State Attorney Steve Houchin stated that his office would take no further action against Deputy Steven Ritenour.
Ritenour was dispatched to 1016 Wightman Ave., after a domestic disturbance call was received. Peter Russo, 51, was reportedly intoxicated and had broken a glass window or door at his girlfriend's house to try and get inside to hurt her.

When Ritenour arrived, Russo was outside and standing in the open door of his SUV, Houchin stated. The suspect was reportedly armed with a large butcher knife and he ignored the deputy's orders to drop it, leading Ritenour to draw his weapon.

"As Russo completed his turn, Deputy Ritenour observed what he believed to be a black revolver in Russo's right hand," Houchin stated in the letter. "Deputy Ritenour further states that Russo stepped toward him and extended the revolver."

Ritenour fired his weapon six times, striking Russo in the chest three times, according to Houchin. Dispatchers reportedly heard "drop the knife," "shots fired" and "suspect down" through the deputy's chest mike.

Russo was taken to Highlands Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The woman who lived at the home told investigators that Russo was a friend and came to the house drunk, cutting his hand on the glass door. Her daughter reportedly called the sheriff's office.

"When Russo heard this, he said, 'Let the cops come, I'm ready for them,'" Houchin stated.

Investigators reportedly found the apparent black revolver and knife on the ground where Russo fell. An examination of the gun revealed it was a loaded toy cap pistol that was painted black to resemble a real firearm. A search warrant was executed at Russo's home, and investigators discovered a second toy gun identical to the one found at the scene, according to Houchin. The only difference was the second cap gun was not painted black.

Russo's father told law enforcement he'd given his son the two toy guns as collector's items.

Highlands Today reporter Brad ****erson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or b****erson@highlandstoday.com