Police Department urging members of the public to share any information or video of the incident
The Sarasota Police Department is urging members of the public who may have information about a July 18 shooting incident on the Booker High School campus to contact its Investigations Division.
At 4:34 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, the department reported that, about two hours earlier — at approximately 2:20 p.m. — “Sarasota Police officers responded to calls” about gunshots in the campus parking lot.
The advisory noted, “At this time, there are no reported injuries. Officers have secured the scene.”
Booker High stands at 3201 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota, in the Newtown community.
A July 20 update said, “At this time, Sarasota Police can confirm that the shooting took place during a youth football event. This was not a school-sponsored event. The Sarasota County Schools Police Department and Booker High School are cooperating with officers in this investigation.”
On July 19, on the school’s Facebook page, Principal Jamal Crook posted the following letter:
The Sarasota Police Department has stressed, “This is an ongoing investigation,” with agency personnel believing “there are more witnesses who can provide information.”
Anyone with information or video from this event is asked to call the Sarasota Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 941-915-4307 or Sarasota Crime Stoppers at 941-366-TIPS (8477), the department says.
In response to a Sarasota News Leader inquiry, Amanda Morales, a communications specialist with the department, reported close to midday on July 22 that she had been in contact with the lead detective, who told her that it was doubtful any additional information would be shared this week.
The detectives are encouraging “any members of the public to provide relevant information and video from the incident,” Morales wrote in her email.