Sarasota: Two arrests made over the weekend in connection to July shooting and August shooting

 

 

SPD

 

 

Roshard Williams, 34, of Sarasota, was arrested on Friday, August 14, 2020.  He is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (felony) and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (felony) in connection to a shooting that happened on August 9, 2020 in the 3000 block of Old Bradenton Road, Sarasota.  Williams has 14 convicted felony charges including possession of a controlled substance and carrying a concealed firearm.

 

On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at approximately 6:25 p.m.  Sarasota Police officers responded to the 3000 block of Old Bradenton Road, Sarasota.  Witnesses told officers they were standing outside in a driveway when a grey Chrysler 300 drove by and an unknown person fired shots in their direction.  There were no reported injuries.

 

Bezlee Gourdine, 26, of Sarasota, was arrested on Sunday, August 16, 2020.  He is facing charges of armed robbery with a firearm (felony) and aggravated battery with a firearm (felony) in connection to a shooting that happened on July 14, 2020 in the 2900 block of North Orange Avenue, Sarasota. 

 

On July 14, 2020 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Sarasota Police officers responded to the 2900 block of North Orange Avenue for an armed robbery with a shooting.  The victim told officers he walked northbound from the area of 21st Street and North Orange Avenue when he was approached by a man asking for a cigarette.  When the victim said he did not have any cigarettes, the suspect pulled out a handgun and robbed the victim of his wallet and backpack and left.  The suspect returned a short time later and shot the victim in the foot.

 

On Sunday, August 16, 2020, Gourdine was located in the 1400 block of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way by Sarasota Police patrol officers and was arrested.

 

Both Williams and Gourdine remain in custody at the Sarasota County Jail.