SARASOTA, Fla. – A Kentucky man is facing multiple felony charges after a shooting incident and alleged kidnappings that unfolded over the weekend in Sarasota County.
Tobias A. McDonald, 30, of Lexington, Kentucky, was arrested on Sunday, May 11th, and now faces charges of Attempted Murder, Kidnapping (Domestic), and two additional counts of Kidnapping.
According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call reporting a shooting in the 6400 block of Beechwood Avenue. When deputies arrived on the scene, they discovered that a group of individuals, some of whom were acquainted with McDonald and had traveled to Sarasota for a vacation, were at the residence.
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The investigation revealed that McDonald arrived at the home unannounced and confronted the group outside, demanding to know the whereabouts of a woman named Meghan Lynch, also of Lexington, Kentucky.
Upon gaining entry to the residence, where Lynch was inside, McDonald allegedly fired a shot that injured Ishmael Stipp, also of Lexington. Following the shooting, McDonald reportedly left the scene with Lynch in a vehicle.
A multi-agency effort involving the Florida Highway Patrol and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office led to McDonald’s apprehension without further incident.
McDonald was taken into custody on Sunday and is now being held in the Sarasota County Jail. Further details regarding the incident, including the condition of any potential victims and the relationship between McDonald and Lynch, have not yet been released by the Sheriff’s Office.
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