Florida Shooting Spree: Suspect Identified in Tragic Double-Residence Attack Killing Six

Authorities have identified a man in Florida suspected of fatally shooting six individuals during a violent outburst at two locations in Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale before taking his own life.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office disclosed that the suspect, 51-year-old Russell Kot, had previously been romantically involved with one of the Fort Lauderdale victims, who was connected to the Sarasota victims.

Deputies initially responded to a 911 alert on Tuesday afternoon, reporting a male victim shot at a residence in Sarasota’s Amberlea neighborhood. Upon arrival, they found neighbors performing CPR on the man in the front yard. He was then transported by the Sarasota County Fire Department but was later declared deceased, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office.

Concerned for the victim’s wife’s safety, deputies entered the home, discovering four more adult victims—two women and two men—who were already dead.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office was actively on the scene of the tragic shooting in Sarasota, Florida, on Tuesday, February 10. (Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office)

“While attempting to identify the victims and potential suspect, detectives received information from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) advising they were working a double homicide and believed the Sarasota shooting to be related to the investigation they are working,” the sheriff’s office said. “FLPD provided suspect vehicle information and advised that following their homicide, the vehicle was captured on camera traveling northbound through Punta Gorda prior to the Sarasota homicide.” 

“Detectives worked with Amberlea HOA representatives and neighbors, and were able to recover video of the suspect’s vehicle entering the neighborhood at 11:01 a.m. The sound of gunfire was captured shortly after on a neighbor’s Ring camera. Approximately 37 minutes later, the male victim, who was found in the front lawn, was captured entering the neighborhood in his vehicle. The victim approached the front door where he was shot,” deputies also said. 

Kot was found dead inside the Sarasota home, according to the sheriff’s office. 

It identified the other victims there as Olga Greinert, 49, Florita Stolyar, 66, Anatoly Ioffe, 61 and Yaroslav Blyudoy, 39. 

Authorities say six people are dead after a shooting in a gated community in Sarasota, Fla., on Tuesday, Feb. 10, that was connected to another in Fort Lauderdale earlier the same day. (FOX 13 Tampa)

“Based on our preliminary investigation, it appears that the suspect died of self-inflicted wounds, and there are no known documented mental health crises nor history of violence associated with him,” the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said. “The suspect’s motivation for targeting the Sarasota victims is unknown.” 

The victims in the Fort Lauderdale shooting, which happened in the Victoria Park neighborhood, were identified as Larisa Blyudaya, 48, and Ben Azivov, 18, according to NBC Miami. 

Joe Askerberg, the property manager of the home where those victims were found, told the station that they were a mother and son.

“Gutted obviously for the whole family involved,” Askerberg said to NBC Miami. “Larisa was so bubbly and never negative; she was always in good spirits.” 

The suspect in both shootings was identified as Russell Kot, 51. (FOX 13 Tampa)

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.