6 Killed in Florida Shooting Spree Across 2 Cities

Six people were shot dead in a series of killings across two Florida cities on Wednesday, before the suspected gunman was found dead in what authorities believe was a self-inflicted injury, according to US media reports.

CBS News reported that the shootings occurred in Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale, with police describing the attacks as connected homicides carried out by the same suspect.

Authorities identified the suspect as 51-year-old Russel Cote of Fort Lauderdale. Police said the first two victims were killed in Fort Lauderdale. They were identified as Larisa Bludova, 46, and 18-year-old Ben Azizov.

According to a statement from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, investigators believe the suspect had previously been in a romantic relationship with one of the Fort Lauderdale victims. That victim was reportedly connected to the individuals later killed in Sarasota. Authorities said the motive behind the Sarasota killings remains unclear.

In Sarasota, the suspect allegedly killed four additional victims: Olga Grenert, Florita Stolyar, Anatoly Yoffe and Yaroslav Bludov.

Local reports indicated that Florita Stolyar, 66, was originally from Dnipropetrovsk, while Anatoly Yoffe, 61, was born in Saint Petersburg and was married to Stolyar. According to ABC News, Yoffe owned a local medical clinic.

Law enforcement officials said the suspect’s body was discovered at the scene of the Sarasota killings. He had sustained injuries that investigators believe were self-inflicted.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting spree, including the suspect’s motive and how the victims were connected.

The incident has shocked communities in both Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale, prompting renewed concerns over gun violence in Florida and across the United States. Authorities have not released further details as the investigation remains active.