SARASOTA, Fla. – Sarasota Police officers arrested Sarah Charles, 53, of Sarasota, for two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of carrying a concealed weapon after gunshots were fired in the parking lot of the 3500 block of South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, on Friday night.
Sarasota Police officers were dispatched at approximately 10 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2020, to an alleged shooting at the Westfield Siesta Key mall, in front of Connor’s Steak and Seafood. Dispatchers told officers that multiple people called to say someone fired gunshots in the parking lot.
When Sarasota Police officers arrived, they observed a loud verbal argument between a group of people. Two victims came forward and pointed at Charles and said, “she was the one that just shot at us.” No one was injured.
The two victims told officers they were walking towards their car in the parking lot when they saw Charles. An argument between the victims and Charles led to Charles firing several rounds from a handgun towards the victims. No one was injured because of the discharged firearm. Charles is the ex-wife of one of the victims.
Officers found two .38 caliber shell casings in the parking lot and a Ruger LCP 380 handgun inside of a purse belonging to Charles. Officers also found that the firearm was loaded with a round in the chamber. The ammunition in the magazine was the same caliber of ammunition that was found in the parking lot. Officers arrested Charles and transported her to the Sarasota County Jail. She is currently being held at the Sarasota County Jail on a $205,500 bond.