Homicide in North Sarasota Investigated

Sarasota Police are investigating an overnight shooting in Newtown that killed a Bradenton man.

Officers located victim Jeffrey Leonard Hill, 34, in the 1900 block of 24^th Street. They were able to follow a blood trail to the 1800 block of 23rd Street, where the shooting occurred, according to the . 

Hill, whose last known address was 26th Ave. West in Bradenton, was the victim of an attempted robbery, police said. Police believe the shooting happened at about 1:50 a.m. Wednesday.

Hill was shot either during the robbery attempt or while fleeing his perpetrators, police said.

Hill ran northeast from the scene until he collapsed on the sidewalk in the 1900 block of 24^th Street, police said.

Sarasota County Fire Rescue responded and transported Hill to Blake Medical Center. Hill died at Blake Medical Center, about four hours after the shooting. 

Hill was most recently listed as living at 5106 26th Ave. West in Bradenton, according to court records, but police said he was also a longtime Sarasota resident.

This is the first homicide in city limits in 2012, police said.

Police are asking anyone with information is asked to contact Detective DeFrancisco at 941-954-7049.