Share and Follow
In a chilling incident out of Sarasota, Florida, Nicholas Novickis is accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend, their young son, and the family dog during what was intended to be a relaxing family pool day. Authorities describe the attack as unprovoked and shocking.
Prosecutors have charged Novickis with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of animal cruelty following the tragic events on May 23. These accusations stem from the deadly shootings that unfolded within a gated community in Sarasota, as confirmed by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office in an official statement.
Nicholas Novickis Accused of Killing Girlfriend, Son With Shotgun
The sequence of events began when Novickis, his girlfriend Allie Novickis, and their six-year-old son, Phoenix, arrived at his mother’s residence around 10 a.m. that morning. According to court documents reviewed by Oxygen, the family planned to spend the day enjoying the pool at the home.
Doug Johnson, a Creative Communications Specialist with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, addressed the media in a press conference broadcasted by WFLA, stating, “They actually went to the house to swim in the pool and enjoy the day.”
On their arrival, Nicholas informed his mother, who was asleep in her room, of their presence. She returned to her slumber, only to be startled awake later by the unmistakable sound of glass shattering, marking the onset of the horrific series of events.
“She went to the slider at the back lanai and saw Phoenix standing near the doorway,” the affidavit read. “Nicholas then walked out onto the lanai with a shotgun, racked the shotgun, and shot Phoenix one time in the head, killing him.”
While Nicholas’ mother was on the phone with 911, he allegedly shot the family’s husky dog in the back. His mother was able to flee the residence without injury, authorities said.
The dog was still alive and laying near the slain six-year-old when deputies arrived a few minutes later, per the affidavit. The dog was rushed to Blue Pearl Pet Hospital, where it later died.
Allie was found dead in the kitchen of the home.
Authorities said surveillance video allegedly captured Nicholas shooting his son in the head at approximately 11:34 a.m. that morning. Although the footage did not capture Allie’s death, she was seen walking into the home from the lanai shortly before Nicholas emerged carrying the shotgun, according to the court records.
Nicholas Novickis Allegedly Provided No Motive For Killings
After his arrest, Nicholas allegedly made a “spontaneous utterance” in an interview room expressing regret and saying it was “f–ked up” that he had killed his family, per the affidavit.
Johnson said there is no known motive for the shootings.
“There didn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary,” he said during the press conference. “There didn’t be seem to be any sort of argument or altercation at all.”
To learn more about what could have sparked the violence, Johnson said investigators are serving search warrants on Nicholas’ home and vehicles, while also speaking to those who knew the family.
“We don’t know what happened, and you know they’re trying to get some sort of a motive from Nicholas, but right now he’s not being very cooperative,” Johnson continued. “He’s asked for an attorney, so that’s kind of the point we’re at at this at this juncture.”
Oxygen reached out to Nicholas’ attorney Layron Gaither for comment, but did not receive an immediate reply.
Nicholas’ next court appearance is scheduled for May 29, according to court records reviewed by Oxygen.