Courtesy: Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
A 41-year-old man was arrested Saturday after firing 26 rounds from a rifle at three men during a feud on 51st Street in Sarasota, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
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Sarasota dumpster dispute shooting
What we know:
Deputies say three men had been golfing on Saturday when one of their employers asked them to check on and secure an overflowing garbage dumpster at 51st Street. The trio drove through an unsecured gate toward the back of the building, where one victim got out and gestured toward the dumpster to explain their presence to a shirtless man sitting inside the warehouse, according to SCSO.
The man, identified by authorities as Riley Woiak, grabbed a rifle and yelled at them to leave. Despite the victim pleading with him not to shoot and heading back to the car, Woiak allegedly opened fire, forcing the victims to flee as bullets struck near their vehicle until it emitted black smoke.
Self-defense claim and evidence
What they’re saying:
Woiak told deputies he feared for his life after seeing an unknown man on his property, prompting him to grab his rifle for self-defense. Reports say Woiak claimed he fired warning shots into the air and believed the victim was under the influence of hard drugs because he stood still. This led to Woiak to point the rifle directly at him and fire an entire magazine, or close to it, according to deputies. According to reports, he then called deputies.
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During questioning, Woiak stated, “his rifle had iron sites that had not been adjusted, had there been a sighted red dot, we would have had a different conversation,” according to the report.
Meanwhile, all three victims told deputies they believed they were in fear for their lives and that Woiak was going to kill them.
Woiak faces three counts of second-degree attempted homicide.
Gunfire captured on camera
By the numbers:
Reports state that surveillance video recovered from the scene captured audio of inaudible yelling followed by the sound of 26 gunshots.
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