Police Department says suspect was carrying .40-caliber firearm with bullet ready to be fired
On Saturday, June 22, Sarasota Police Department officers “successfully apprehended an armed juvenile during a holiday event near the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Dixie Avenue,” the agency announced late in the afternoon of June 27.
“Two Sarasota Police officers, in coordination with the Sarasota Police Drone Unit, observed a group of teenagers within the Juneteenth event footprint, some of whom had ski masks on top of their heads,” the release explained. “Noticing the behavioral traits indicative of an armed individual, the officers conducted a Terry stop,” the release added.
The Legal Information Institute of the Cornell Law School explains, “A Terry stop is another name for stop and frisk; the name was generated from the U.S Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio. When a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that an individual is armed, engaged in, or about to be engaged in criminal conduct, the officer may briefly stop and detain an individual for a pat-down search of outer clothing. A Terry stop is a seizure within the meaning of Fourth Amendment.”
Although the Sarasota Police officers warned the group to remain in place, the release indicated, “one juvenile attempted to flee. The officers deployed a Taser, which was effective in subduing the suspect,” the release said.
“The juvenile, identified as a 15-year-old male, was taken into custody,” the release pointed out. A .40-caliber firearm with a bullet that had been chambered “was recovered from the suspect’s underwear,” the release added. “A follow-up investigation revealed the firearm was stolen out of a locked vehicle in Sarasota County in 2021,” the release noted.
“Our officers potentially prevented a tragic incident and saved lives by their swift and decisive actions,” Police Chief Rex Troche said in the release. “Ensuring the safety of our community, especially during significant celebrations like Juneteenth, remains our top priority,” he added. “The presence of kids with guns is unacceptable, and our officers will work tirelessly to recover firearms from children and keep our city safe,” Troche pointed out.
A June 12 city news release had reported that a Juneteenth celebration, co-sponsored by the City of Sarasota, would take place on Saturday, June 22, from 1 to 7 p.m. on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way between Osprey Avenue and Pershing Avenue. “This will be a ‘free, family-friendly event,” which will feature live music, food trucks, vendors and activities, the release added.
The Police Department release noted that the juvenile suspect is facing the following charges: resisting without violence, possession of a firearm by a felony delinquent, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a firearm by a minor (second offense), and violation of probation.
The news release did not identify the juvenile.
The Sarasota Police Department is encouraging anyone “with information about stolen firearms, juveniles in possession of weapons, or other crimes” to call its non-emergency line at 941-316-1199 or to report the situation anonymously to CrimeStoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or going online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com. “Tips that lead to an arrest are eligible for a reward of up to $5,000,” the release said.