A Sarasota man barely made it out of his driveway before someone tried to rob him and then opened fire on his car early Tuesday morning, according to police.
The shooting happened around 5:30 a.m. in the 1700 block of 23rd Street. Multiple rounds struck the vehicle as the victim drove away, but no one was injured. Detectives spent the morning canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses and any video that might help explain who was behind the attack.
What Police Say Happened
In a news release, the Sarasota Police Department said officers responded to reports of an attempted armed robbery followed by gunfire and are treating the area as an active crime scene. The release lays out the time and location, notes that no injuries were reported, and says detectives followed up on leads in the area after the car was hit by several rounds.
Local station WTSP reported that the suspect "came out of hiding" and tried to rob the driver before firing multiple shots at the vehicle. Video and on-scene interviews from WTSP show officers talking with neighbors while investigators searched for evidence and worked to develop a suspect description.
Crime Center Could Speed The Case
The incident comes as the department touts a new Real-Time Operations Center and data tools meant to speed up investigations, an effort Spectrum Bay News 9 reported has coincided with lower crime rates in Sarasota. Officials have said the center can quickly pull camera footage and flag suspect vehicles, a capability detectives hope will help move this case along.
How To Help Detectives
Anyone with information or home surveillance video from around the time of the shooting is asked to contact the Sarasota Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division. The department lists its main and non-emergency numbers on its website.
People who want to stay anonymous can send tips to Crime Stoppers of Sarasota County. Detectives are urging residents to share anything that could help identify the person involved while the investigation is still active.
Police have not released a suspect description or announced any arrests. Officials say they will provide updates as new information comes in.
