SPD: Two teens suffer non-life-threatening injuries in Sarasota shooting
SARASOTA, Fla. - A shooting Sunday night in Sarasota sent two teenagers to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to police, officers patrolling the area of 2700 block of Maple Avenue in Sarasota heard multiple gunshots around 8:45 p.m.
A short time later, the police discovered a 19-year-old suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital and released.
A second victim, a 17-year-old boy, was also struck by gunfire and taken to Black Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officers say they found evidence that bullets hit 11 parked cars and two homes, but no other injuries were reported.
A resident nearby, Odessa C. Butler, said she heard the shots from inside her home and is thankful her house wasn't hit.
"It’s really very sad that it has to come to that after such a beautiful day," said Butler.
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Just an hour and a half earlier, the Newtown Spring Fling Festival ended, which included for the first time in 20 years, an Easter parade. Many remained gathered with friends and family afterward.
"The atmosphere was really warm. I didn’t see anybody getting upset about anything. We were talking, greeting and eating," said Butler.
Sarasota detectives worked into the night and Monday morning to try and find those responsible.
"This could have been a lot worse. There were a lot of people in this area of North Sarasota on Easter, celebrating the holiday. We are just thankful no one was killed as a result of this," said Genevieve Judge with the Sarasota Police Department.
Those living in the area just want their peace and quiet back.
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"It was quite frightening. You can’t even feel safe in your own home and that’s where you should feel comfortable and safe," said Butler.
Anyone with any information on this case is asked to Detective Kim Laster at 941-263-6827 or leave an anonymous tip with CrimeStoppers of Sarasota at 941-366-8477.