Sarasota Sheriff updates the public on the Skye Ranch incident involving three men following a black teenager

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

Sheriff Hoffman

On October 15, 2024, our agency was made aware of a video depicting Cornell Harris, III (18) being followed by Romulo Nobrega (36), Stephen Carega (41), and Geffrey Gardner (43) as Mr. Harris videotaped himself walking through the Sarasota neighborhood of Skye Ranch. The video depicts Mr. Nobrega, Mr. Carega, and Mr. Gardner following Mr. Harris for an extended period of time, while attempting to question him and becoming more confrontational. Several versions of this video have been edited and have since made their way to various platforms. One social media influencer even falsely posted that a firearm was used during this incident.

At some point during this incident, an off-duty Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office sergeant living in the area was made aware of this event by his neighbor and appropriately responded to the scene per agency policy. The sergeant correctly determined that Mr. Harris was lawfully walking and informed him he could go about his business and instructed the others to stop following Mr. Harris. I applaud this sergeant for immediately assessing the situation and recognizing that Mr. Harris should be allowed to continue walking through the neighborhood as a guest of his mother, who is a resident of Skye Ranch.

As your Sheriff, I understand the public interest that this event brought to our community over the last several weeks. I also understand the heightened emotions of everyone involved. As a law enforcement agency, our job is to put aside emotion, outside influences, and social media commentators to conduct a thorough investigation to determine if a criminal violation of Florida law has occurred. It should be noted that in order to establish probable cause for an assault charge we must prove that there was, (1) an intentional unlawful threat by word or act to do violence (2) coupled with an apparent ability to do so, and (3) creates a well-founded fear in such other person that such violence is imminent. Detectives were not able to establish these three elements during the course of their investigation.

As of today, we have spoken to all witnesses and parties who were willing to provide a statement. Additionally, we have reviewed all available videos, canvassed the surrounding neighborhoods, and have determined that no probable cause exists to believe a crime was committed. The investigation into this matter is now closed. This incident should serve as a reminder that when citizens find themselves in a confrontational situation, if able, they should disengage and request law enforcement to respond.

@qweenie333 TikTok, I really need some help, what you see here is my child being racially profiled, and followed by four grown men all because he was walking around OUR neighborhood… I guess we look like we don’t belong in a upscale neighborhood but Here is a little back story: The morning aftermath of hurricane Milton my son wanted to walk the neighborhood to talk to his girlfriend on his phone, because we didnt have power so his service was bad in the house. THIS is what he had to deal with. Even after telling these men he lives here they we’re not satisfied with his answer and continue to harass him.. this was not a 1 minute altercation, my son was followed for over 10 minutes dealing with this. I am so happy he recorded every moment, and thankful my child is still here. But I need to know how is it OK. I do not want to live in a community that does not welcome me and my children because the color of our skin.#blacktiktok #blacktiktokcommunity #blm #blacklivesmatter #blacktiktok #helpme #isthisok ♬ original sound – WhitneyDiana