SARASOTA (WSNN) – An otherwise quiet neighborhood is rocked by gunfire around 6:30 pm, Saturday night. Several Sarasota police units respond to an officer-involved shooting at the 2400 block of Bay Street in Sarasota.
“We actually heard several shots rang out in pretty fast progression, so then we went back inside the house,” Witness, Jordan Penner said.
More than a dozen police vehicles flooded a Sarasota neighborhood for a call of shots fired.
“Witnesses nearby heard a woman screaming and heard shots fired,” Sarasota Police Chief Jim Rieser said.
“I definitely heard some shouting, I couldn’t make out exactly what was said, but definitely heard some shouting,” Penner said.
Chief Rieser says the officer involved was not injured.
“When the officer arrived, they encountered one adult white male armed with a firearm. Preliminary information suggests the male shot and killed an adult white female in front of the officer. The officer fired his duty weapon, the male is dead.
Chief says it’s unknown if the man was killed by their officer or if was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“Per Sarasota Police Department policy, the officer has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues,” Chief Rieser said.
Penner says it’s usually a quiet neighborhood.
“It’s not something I’ve experienced before, so it’s definitely a bit unsettling,” Penner said.
“I’ve been here 29 years, you don’t want anybody hurt; citizens or the officers,” Chief Rieser said. “This is a tragedy.”
SPD says information on the officer will not be released at this time.
This is still an active and ongoing investigation.
If you have any information, Sarasota Police detectives are asking you to contact Detective Kim Laster at (941) 263-6827.
SNN will have more updates, Monday.
