Sarasota Man Faces Charges Following Police Standoff

SARASOTA, FL — A 31-year-old Sarasota man has been charged with kidnapping and other offenses following a police standoff earlier this week in which the man is accused of holding a woman and her two young children at knifepoint.

Sheldon Howard was also charged with aggravated assault with a weapon and false imprisonment and domestic battery stemming from what police described as a domestic dispute, which unfolded around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 1700 block of 35th Street.

"When officers arrived, Department of Children and Families Child Protection Investigators advised Sarasota police officers that Mr. Howard was holding an adult woman and two small children, ages 3 and 10 days old, hostage at knifepoint," according to Genevieve Judge of the Sarasota Police Department.

At one point, Judge said police officers asked the woman to leave the home.

"She was able to safely walk out, but the children were still inside," Judge said. "The woman told officers she and Howard had an argument the night before. The woman said Howard entered the home Wednesday through an open window and threatened to kill her and the children."

Howard initially refused to come out of the home, Judge said. "Officers spoke with Howard on the phone and he walked out with the 10-day-old infant in his arms," she said. "Several moments later, Howard let both children leave the home but stayed inside, refusing to come out."

Judge said the children were unharmed but the woman had what police described as "visible" injuries.

"For nearly 90 minutes, Sarasota Police officers spoke with Mr. Howard and worked diligently to deescalate the situation," Judge said. "Mr. Howard agreed to come out peacefully and he was taken into custody without incident."

To report a tip, call Detective Kim Laster of the Sarasota Police Department at 941-263-6827. Alternatively, call Crime Stoppers at 941-366-TIPS or visit www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.