SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (SNN) — Dima Tower, 21, has been arrested on two counts of murder after allegedly stabbing two family members in their home on Thursday night, officials said.
Neighbors identified the two victims as Tower’s parents.
“They were a super sweet couple. He was like the neighborhood watch guy. He was always the one, you know, ‘watch out for these people over here,’ you know. Super nice guy, so it’s very devastating to hear,” said neighbor Jason McRae.
Upon arrival at the home in the 1200 block of Mallicoat Road, the North Port Police Department said they saw a white man getting into a car registered to Tower.
After ignoring their commands to stop, investigators say Tower fled north on Interstate 75.
Officers chased him until mile marker 192, where a Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputy took measures, forcing the car to stop.
“The individual got out of that vehicle and fled into the wooded area to the north,” said NPPD Public Information Officer Josh Taylor.
After about seven hours of searching, a Venice police officer apprehended Tower on Laurel Road.
According to NPPD, when they entered Tower’s home, they discovered two adults deceased with multiple stab wounds.
Investigators said this isn’t the first time there have been problems at this home.
“We had a previous incident at this home back in 2020. Some sort of domestic situation,” said Taylor.
Neighbors say they didn’t see the 21-year-old around much and that he was adopted into the family.
According to NPPD, Tower has been booked into the Sarasota County Jail.
