FDLE concludes investigation into SPD officer-involved shooting

SARASOTA,  Fla. (SNN) — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has completed its investigation into a fatal officer-involved shooting that took place in February, killing a suspected bank robber.

On Feb. 26, five Sarasota Police Department Officers were placed on administrative leave after a fatal officer-involved shooting.

The incident occurred near U.S. 41 and University Parkway during a traffic stop.

Officers attempted to take a subject into custody, resulting in an officer-involved shooting that killed a suspected bank robber.

“He attempted to pull the suspect over, and the suspect fled,” said SPD Public Information Officer Cynthia McLaughlin. “That vehicle did end up in a pond or a drainage ditch. It was submerged. At that point our officers saw the suspect moving in the vehicle, told him to stay still. The suspect continued to move, he was believed to be armed, and our officers did open fire on that suspect.”

Several agencies assisted SPD, including the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue, New College Police, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Police, and the FDLE.

“FLDE is extremely thorough in their investigation. It’s been months now and they have determined that all five officers were justified in their actions in that fatal shooting of the bank robber suspect,” said McLaughlin.

After several months of review, FDLE concluded the officers’ actions were justified, and all may return to duty.

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