Tampa Man Guilty In Sarasota Murder

SARASOTA, FL — A 22-year-old Tampa man has been found guilty on second-degree murder charges in connection with the September 2015 death of Daniel Ortiz in Sarasota.

Ortiz, 44, was found around 7 p.m. Sept. 28, 2015, when Sarasota police officers responded to a car accident call. When officers approached the car in the 1500 block of 25th Street, they found the driver was suffering from a gunshot wound.

Ortiz was taken to a local hospital, but died from his injuries.

Diandrew L. Clarkson of Tampa was arrested a few days after the shooting. Police say witnesses told them Clarkson and Ortiz had gotten into a dispute over the sale of narcotics.

The Sarasota Police Department announced Clarkson’s conviction on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

“The outcome on this case is a result of hard work, dedication and partnership between the Sarasota Police Department and the State Attorney’s Office,” said Detective Anthony DeFrancisco of the guilty verdict.

DeFrancisco worked with Detective Maria Llovio and Assistant State Attorney Karen Fraivillig to bring the case to a close, the agency noted in an email to media.

Sentencing for Clarkson has not yet been scheduled.

Booking photo courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department