Crime & Safety
Sarasota Man Found Guilty In 2016 Murder
A Sarasota man accused of opening fire following a January 2016 argument has been found guilty on a second-degree murder charge.
SARASOTA, FL — A 35-year-old Sarasota man’s January 2016 decision to open fire on a man who started an argument and then refused to leave a 25th Street home has resulted in a conviction. Rufus Adams was found guilty of second-degree murder on Thursday.
The case that led to Adams' April 19 conviction unfolded around 6 a.m. Jan. 15, 2016, when Sarasota police were called to a home in the 1500 block of 25th Street. Once there, they found William Shipp, 42, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Shipp was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, but died shortly after arrival.
“Shipp sustained numerous gun shots to his body with the fatal wounds being to his liver and lung,” an arrest report stated.
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On Jan. 16, 2016, two confidential witnesses came forward and implicated Adams in the shooting. The first witness told police a group of men were in the home’s front yard when Shipp arrived, started an argument and caused a disturbance, the report said.
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Adams told Shipp to leave, but he refused.
“The witness said Adams told Shipp he was going to kill him,” the report said. Adams fired several shots. Shipp tried to run away, but fell to the ground.
“Adams walked toward Shipp and stood over his body,” the witness told police. “Adams said, ‘I’ll kill you,’ and Shipp replied, ‘you already did.’”
The second witness relayed a similar story, the report noted.
Adams’ conviction in the case was announced by the Sarasota Police Department Friday.
“We’re very pleased with the outcome of this case,” said Det. Maria Llovio, who worked the case along with Det. Anthony DeFrancisco. “This is a result of hard work and dedication not just from our agency but also through the partnership we have with the State Attorney’s Office.”
Prosecutors Karen Fraivillig and Elizabeth Loeffler presented the case in court.
Adams is expected to be sentenced early next month.
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Booking photo courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department
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