Arrest Made In Attack On Sarasota First Responders

SARASOTA, FL — A five-time convicted felon has been arrested in connection with the January attack on two paramedics with the Sarasota County Fire Department who came under fire when they responded to a phony emergency call. The deputy Sarasota police chief described the attack at the time as an assault on his central Gulf Coast community.

Tyran Young, 32, of the 3000 block of Goodrich Avenue in Sarasota,was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a firefighter, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and other offenses following a two-month investigation that began on Jan. 7 when shots rang out around 3:55 a.m.

“The men and women of the Sarasota Police Department worked diligently and efficiently to find the person responsible for trying to harm one of our fellow first responders,” said Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino. “This arrest brings closure and justice to first responders who risk their lives every single day to protect our community and society."

The attack came when the paramedics had been summoned to a home in the 2900 block of Goodrich Avenue, one block away from Young's home. The phony call was to help a person who had fallen.

Sign up for our free Sarasota daily newsletter and news alerts

Watch as Chief DiPino discusses the arrest below courtesy the Sarasota Police Department:

Multiple shots were fired into the driver's side door of the ambulance as the paramedics were preparing to leave the area. Neither were injured though the paramedics were inside the vehicle at the time. A similar incident happened in the late 80s or early 90s.

The shots came from across the street. The shooter was believed to be male and wearing a hoodie. He escaped on foot.

Genevieve Judge of the Sarasota Police Department said that Young was served with paperwork Thursday night while already in custody at the Sarasota County Jail on unrelated charges.

He was also charged with shooting into a vehicle, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and misuse of 9-1-1.

"The 9-1-1 call was an automated voice that stated 'Help, I need help. My address is 2932 Goodrich Avenue Sarasota Florida 34234. Please send help, I fell really hard,'" explained Judge.

The paramedics learned that the call was phony from the resident who lives at the address.

"When they returned to their ambulance and closed the door, an unknown person, now identified as Young, fired several shots at the ambulance, striking the front driver door at least twice," according to Judge. "Both paramedics were able to get away safely and no one was injured."

Sarasota police detectives found searches on Young’s cell phone for “text talk message help me I fell and I can’t move my address is 2932 Goodrich Avenue Sarasota Florida 34234 send help please talk text.”

Detectives also learned that Young allegedly placed a previous phony medical call that sent first responders to 3009 Goodrich Avenue in November of 2018.

"The false medical call was similar to this case, featuring an automated repeating message about a person who had fallen," Judge said. "Detectives believe the November 2018 incident was a dry run for the January 2019 incident."

Young remains at the Sarasota County Jail.

"The person responsible for putting fear into our city is behind bars and justice will now be served,” added Chief DiPino.

To report a tip, call the Sarasota Police Department at 941-316-1199 or call Crime Stoppers of Sarasota County at 941-366-TIPS.