2 Shot By Police During Early-Morning Patrol Of Apartment Complex

SARASOTA, FL – Two men were shot by Sarasota Police officers during a routine patrol in Janie’s Garden Apartment complex, 2350 Central Ave., Sarasota.

Officers Brandon Vermillion and Jonathan Torres were patrolling the area 1 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, when they spotted a suspicious vehicle.

According to Police Chief Bernadette DiPino, when the officers approached the SUV containing a driver and two passengers, the vehicle accelerated toward Vermillion who fired at the SUV.

The driver, Jeremy Trebbles, 18, and an unidentified passenger were hit by gunfire and drove themselves to a local hospital. Both have non-life-threatening injuries. Trebbles will be charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The officers sustained minor injuries during the confrontation.

DiPino said Vermillion feared for his life when he shot at the SUV. Vermillion, 28, has been a Sarasota Police officer since November 2015. Torres, 32, was date of hired last June. Vermillion has been placed on routine administrative leave pending an investigation.

At a 9 a.m. press conference, DiPino noted this is the second officer-involved for the Sarasota police in a week, and said she’s concerned about the increasing dangers facing officers in Sarasota.

“I’m really concerned about the things going on in our community,” she said. “There’s been a lot of criticism of law enforcement’s handling of things but our officers have to make split-second judgements.”

On March 31, Black Lives Matters and other community action groups rallied outside Sarasota Police headquarters on behalf of Chad Washington.

On March 22, Sarasota Police officers were called to an apartment to assist Sarasota County Emergency Services with Washington who was under the influence of the drug spice and was reportedly delirious and violent.

While officers tried to subdue Washington, police say he kicked, punched and bit them (see related story).

Police were subsequently accused by family members of using excessive force to get Washington under control, prompting the March 31 rally.

DiPino, however, said those who rallied don’t reflect the opinion of the majority of Sarasota residents.

“It’s not the sentiment of entire community,” she said. “I’m hearing no animosity with our police department.”

She said the assertions made at the rally “are ludicrous.”

“The things being said are not fair and accurate,” she said. “I’m willing to meet with them and talk about what happened. There has to be a dialogue, not just people yelling and screaming.”

She added that the criticism isn’t preventing officers from doing their jobs.

“Our officers are continuing to be proactive in our community,” she said.

Image via Sarasota Police