First homicide for the city of Sarasota in 2012

The first recorded homicide for 2012 in the city of Sarasota occurred at 1:50 a.m. this morning, according to a Sarasota Police Department press release issued this afternoon.

Sarasota Police are investigating the shooting of Sarasota resident Jeffrey L. Hill, 34, in the 1800 block of 23rd Street, during a failed robbery attempt.

Officers were able to follow a blood trail from the 1900 block of 24th Street, where Hill was found, back to the 1800 block of 23rd Street.

Sarasota County Fire Rescue responded and transported Hill to Blake Medical Center, where Hill died approximately 4 hours later.

Investigators have determined that Hill was the victim of an attempted robbery in the 1800 block of 23rd Street and he was shot either during the robbery attempt or while fleeing from the perpetrators. Hill ran northeast from the scene until he collapsed on the sidewalk in the 1900 block of 24th Street.

Hill’s death is being investigated as a homicide and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective DeFrancisco at 954-7049.

Hill is the first homicide victim in the city of Sarasota in 2012, which had nine recorded homicides in 2011.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].