Update: Palmer Ranch Shooting Victim Dies

Updated Aug. 6 9:47 a.m.

A North Port man died Sunday night after during an argument at a Palmer Ranch apartment.

Sam Dreher, 39, was shot Saturday after an apparent argument with the suspect, Michael Minor. The Sarasota County Sheriff says the shooting took place at 5070 Central Sarasota Parkway.

Dreher was on life support at Blake Medical Center, but died from his injuries at 9:44 p.m. Sunday, according to the sheriff's office.

Minor, 27, of 1914 N. Conrad Ave., Sarasota, faces the following charges:

• first-degree murder,
• attempted robbery with a firearm
• burglary with a firearm

Minor went to the apartment to retrieve items that he thought were in a car belonging to Dreher, according to the sheriff's office. While Minor was in the car, he was confronted by Dreher, and Minor then demanded Dreher's wallet and cell phone, according to the sheriff's office.

During an argument, Dreher saw a 9mm handgun in Minor's posession, and Dreher fled up the apartment stairs, according to the sheriff's office.

Minor had fired four shots, two of them striking Dreher according to the sheriff's office. The authorities were summoned at about 3 p.m.

"I didn't mean to shoot him, the gun is in my pocket," Minor told a deputy responding to the scene, according to the probable cause affidavit.

"I'm sorry. Oh my God, I didn't mean to kill someone," Minor said, according to the affidavit.

Dreher was transported by helicopter to Blake Medical Center with extensive head trauma, according to the sheriff's office.

Dreher is a Charlotte County firefighter officer, having spent 18 years with the department.

Minor is booked at Sarasota County Jail and is being held without bond.