Two shooting incidents between last night and this morning are under investigation by the Sarasota Police Department
SPD
Detectives with the Sarasota Police Department are investigating two shooting incidents that happened Wednesday night and Thursday morning. This is the third and fourth shooting incidents since Sunday. It is unknown if any of the shootings this week are connected.
On Wednesday at approximately 7:30 p.m., Sarasota Police officers responded to the 1600 block of 24th Street, Sarasota, reference shots fired. There were no reported injuries. When officers arrived, they found a home was struck twice by bullets. Officers were unable to find any casings or rounds. The complainant was uncooperative, aggressive towards officers and said they did not want any law enforcement involvement.
“I am shocked and appalled in how our officers were treated when they responded to help the victim of a violent crime,” said Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino.
On Thursday at approximately midnight, Sarasota Police officers responded to the 1400 block of 18th Street, Sarasota, for a report of an exchange of gunfire between a dark gray or black vehicle in front of a home on 18th Street and the unknown people in the field directly to the west. A victim was struck by a fragment from the rounds that struck the home. The victim had non-life-threatening injuries and refused medical treatment.
“I’m very concerned an innocent child or bystander could be seriously hurt or even killed if these shootings don’t stop,” said Chief DiPino. “We know someone in our community has information about who is responsible. We’re asking them to come forward and share information with our officers so we can work together to end this violence.”
Since March 13, 2020, when a state of emergency was issued for the City of Sarasota for COVID-19, Sarasota Police officers have responded to 41 incidents where shots were fired. In 7 of the 41 cases, a person suffered injuries, non-life threatening.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Sarasota Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 941-263-6070 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com