SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla.-- The North Port Police Department is now looking for two suspect in a homicide investigation.
Police say they responded to a shooting on the 8100 block of Porto Chico Avenue, around 1:30 Wednesday morning. They have confirmed that one person is dead, but did not identify the victim. They tell us several people were inside the home when the shooting happened.
Police say two black males wearing masks are responsible for the shooting. They tell us they believe the victim and suspects knew each other and that this was not a random act.
"There may be a connection here. This wasn’t a random act of somebody just picking a house and going in. There was, what we believe, at least some sort of connection between the people who did this and at least somebody in the house," says NPPD spokesman Josh Taylor.
The identity of the victim is not being released at this time.
**UPDATE (12PM)** -- Police have identified the victim as 19-year-old Trent Bartol-Thomas of Sarasota.
The investigation into the two masked men involved continues.
Anyone with Info about this case is urged to call Det. Chris Maki at 941-429-7323. If anyone would like to remain anonymous, acting Commander Michael Laden will be fielding tips through the “NPPD tips” app.
