Teen Gunshot Victim Knew Boys Arrested At BellaSol Apartments

SARASOTA, FL -- Sarasota police said the teenage boy shot late Tuesday afternoon at the BellaSol Apartments knew the boys who have been arrested in connection with an attempted robbery at the complex.

"Detectives do not believe the incident was random and the victim and suspects knew one another," explained Genevieve Judge of the Sarasota Police Department.

Two of the teens -- a 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy -- were both arrested and facing a charge of robbery with a firearm. A third boy was detained for questioning but had not been charged as of Wednesday.

"This incident remains under investigation and additional charges could be forthcoming with other individuals involved," Judge said.

The incident happened shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday at the apartment complex, which is located at 1200 Signal Pointe Circle.

Patch is withholding the names of the teens who were charged in the incident because of their ages. Police did not immediately release the name of the wounded teen, but described the shooting as accidental. He was taken by medical helicopter to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Judge said police are also investigating the possible involvement of the shooting victim, if any, to the attempted robbery.

Sarasota Patrol Captain Demetri Konstantopoulos said police have been concerned by the number of recent incidents involving juveniles and firearms. Juveniles were also suspected in a Monday night shooting incident in which eight to 10 gunshots rang out in the 1900 block of 32nd Street. No injuries were reported in the earlier incident.

To report a tip, call Detective Maria Llovio at 941-364-7336 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or via the website at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.