Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office investigating deputy-involved shooting

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Authorities are investigating an deputy-involved shooting in Sarasota. (CREDIT: Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office)

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating an officer-involved shooting that left one man dead.

Authorities have not released the man’s name, but said deputies were called to 310 Richardson Way in Sarasota on Thursday at 9:29 a.m. to investigate an armed burglary.

According to the homeowner, the suspect entered his efficiency apartment while the homeowner was sleeping.

The homeowner reportedly awoke to find the suspect using a baseball bat to sharpen a large machete, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. The homeowner immediately dialed 911 and fled the home.

When deputies arrived, they located the suspect inside the efficiency apartment, yielding the machete. The suspect advanced toward deputies, striking one deputy in the hand, causing severe injuries. The deputy is awaiting surgery.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said one of their deputies was injured by a man wielding this machete. The man was killed in a deputy-involved shooting. (CREDIT: The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office)

Two of the other responding deputies fired their weapons, striking the suspect, who later died, the sheriff’s office said.

At this time, detectives are still working to confirm the suspect’s identity and notify his next of kin.

As is standard in officer-involved shootings, all responding deputies will be interviewed. The agency’s Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations Team will conduct the investigation which will later be reviewed by the State Attorney’s Office, the sheriff’s office said.

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