Sarasota County deputy fatally shoots armed man during eviction, Sheriff says
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office reported a deputy-related shooting in Sarasota on Friday that led to the death of a 58-year-old man.
The man was shot by a Sarasota County deputy at the Palm Place Condominium at 755 S. Palm Ave.
Sheriff's spokesperson Kaitlyn Perez said three deputies were attempting to evict the man when he armed himself with a knife and was shot by one of the deputies.
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The man had been living in the apartment with the owner for 11 years. After the owner died, the man continued to live there without paying rent, authorities said.
The family of the deceased man tried to have him removed so they could sell the property, but they were unsuccessful and turned to the court and deputies for help, according to officials.
The deputies posted a 24-hour notice on Thursday for the man to leave, and they returned Friday morning with a lawyer who had a key to remove him.
"Preliminary information indicates both deputies are OK," Sheriff officials wrote in a Twitter post.
Sarasota County NAACP president Trevor Harvey said the organization plans on conducting a complete investigation to ensure that all methods of de-escalation were explored.
"I'm concerned about what transpired," Harvey said. "Why was a shot warranted? Was the taser deployed? What non-lethal de-escalation tactics were conducted before the officer made the decision that a shot needed to take place?"
A vigil for the man will be held on Sunday from 6:45-8 p.m.
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This is a developing story.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota shooting today: Deputy shoots armed man during eviction, sheriff says
