Sarasota man arrested for murder

Sarasota Police Department detectives have arrested Sarasota resident Shaquan Leverett for the murder of a Palmetto man in March.

Leverett, 19, was charged with the murder of Carlton Parhm, 23. Police had been investigating the killing since March 10, when they received a report of a dead body on the side of the road in the 3200 block of Orange Avenue. Officers identified the body as Parhm, who had died from a gunshot wound.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Parhm and four friends drove from Manatee County to the Janie Garden's apartment complex in Sarasota to meet a woman. After they met, Parhm made a sexual comment to the woman, which upset her. The woman told two friends, one who was Leverett. Leverett asked the woman if she wanted him to do something to Parhm as retribution.

The men from Manatee County left the area to avoid further conflict. As their car drove southbound on Leon Avenue, a gunshot shattered the front passenger window and struck Parhm. Witnesses identified Leverett as being at the scene of the earlier conflict.

After an investigation, the police developed a probable cause to charge Leverett with the murder, according to an SPD release.

“This is the beginning of helping the family of Carlton Parhm find closure to this tragic event,” SPD Detective Tony DeFrancisco said. “While this continues to be an ongoing investigation, a violent criminal is off the streets of the city of Sarasota.”

In the release, the police department asked anyone with additional information regarding the case to contact DeFrancisco at 954-7049. People can also leave an anonymous tip by calling 366-8477 or visiting the city’s Crime Stoppers website.

Contact David Conway at [email protected].