Sarasota man found guilty of murder
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
State Attorney’s Office 12th Judicial Circuit
State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Kevin Maurice Holloway was convicted after a jury trial of First-Degree Premeditated Murder, two counts of Attempted First-Degree Premeditated Murder, Robbery with a Firearm, Shooting into a Dwelling, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and one count of Stalking. The crimes were investigated by the Sarasota Police Department. The four-day trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse from April 21-24, 2026. The Honorable Judge Danielle Brewer presided over the trial.
The charges stemmed from a shooting in the early morning hours of July 4, 2024, in the City of Sarasota. The Defendant had driven by the home of his ex-girlfriend around 12:30am threatening her and two others in the driveway of her home, specifically stating he would come back and kill people. Approximately 40 minutes later, the Defendant approached the driveway – now with four people total – on foot as a masked gunman dressed in all black, a ski mask with only eyeholes, gloves, and a gun in his hand. He demanded everyone went inside and, after taking the phone from his ex-girlfriend and engaging in an argument with others at the scene, he shot and killed one man followed shortly thereafter by firing at others now fleeing the scene. He also shot nine additional rounds into the window and living room of his ex-girlfriend’s home as she laid on the floor trying to find cover.
After a joint initial response by members of the Sarasota Police Department (SPD) and the Sarasota County (FL) Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), an investigation was conducted by detectives with SPD. The investigation revealed the Defendant was the primary suspect and the only one named by eyewitnesses. Investigators located several camera angles of the incident, including one later recovered from the cell phone of the man the Defendant shot and killed. SPD detectives learned of the Defendant’s whereabouts and tracked his car to Miami. He was arrested by members of the Miami Police Department approximately 17 hours after the shooting. As the investigation continued, a detective with SCSO was able to locate records of text messages the Defendant sent to the ex-girlfriend in the months leading up to the shooting. In the messages, the Defendant threatened her repeatedly and made several statements to her about how he would go about killing her and anyone he happened to find around her – statements that later matched the circumstances of the shooting.
Following the jury’s verdict of guilty on all counts, the jury additionally found the Defendant qualifies as “Prison Releasee Reoffender” under Florida law. For 5 of the 8 counts for which he was convicted, this meant the Court was required under Florida law to sentence the Defendant to the maximum penalty.
The jury also found, pursuant to a Florida law commonly referred to as the “10/20/Life” statute, that the Defendant carried a firearm during the crimes, that he discharged that firearm, and that there was death or great bodily harm inflicted upon someone as a result.
Based on those findings, the Defendant was sentenced to multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. The sentencing took place shortly after the verdict, with the family of the deceased Victim making statements before the sentence was handed down.
The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney S. Ethan Dunn, said: “This Defendant truly believed he could get away with murder. His path of devastation and destruction left a family without a loved one and shattered a sense of safety for the surviving Victims and eyewitnesses. Thanks to the courage of the surviving Victims and eyewitnesses to stand up to the Defendant, and the jury’s careful attention to this case, the Defendant’s past and hubris has finally caught up with him. The jury’s verdict not only restores a sense of justice for the families of the Victims and the Victims themselves but makes our community a safer place.
On behalf of myself, my co-counsel Kate Metz, and the State Attorney’s Office, I would like to thank the dedication of the men and women of the Sarasota Police Department for their endless efforts to bring this man to justice. I would also like to thank the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Miami Police Department for their collaboration on this case. The jury’s verdict highlights the incredible dedication of the people in these agencies, and I am thankful to have such strong law enforcement partners willing to do what it takes to protect the people of Sarasota and the State of Florida from criminal predators like the Defendant. The streets of the City and County of Sarasota; Florida; and the nation at large are better off with the Defendant behind bars for the rest of his life.”
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney S. Ethan Dunn in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.
