SARASOTA, Fla. — Authorities have identified the victims and the suspected shooter involved in a tragic shooting incident that claimed five lives in the Amberlea neighborhood earlier this week. The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office announced these findings on Friday, following a series of investigations into the incident.
On Tuesday, responders received an urgent 911 call about a shooting at a residence on Fallcrest Circle. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the bodies of two women and two men inside the home. The initial investigation reveals that the suspected gunman, identified as Russell Kot, was among the deceased.
The sheriff’s office later connected the Sarasota shooting to a double homicide in Fort Lauderdale, where two of Kot’s associates were also found dead. Officials report that Kot had moved from Illinois to Fort Lauderdale in late 2025 and had been living with Larissa Blyudoy, whose mother, Florita Stolyar, was one of the victims in the subsequent double homicide.
Investigators discovered a disturbing cache of weapons in Kot’s vehicle, which included two handguns, numerous rounds of ammunition, five knives, an axe, and materials indicating potential restraint, such as rope and tape. These items were found in conjunction with the handguns Kot carried when he entered the residential scene in Sarasota.
Authorities allege that Kot murdered Olga Greinert, a family housekeeper, and Yaroslav Blyudoy, Stolyar’s son. In a troubling twist, investigators revealed that Kot sent a text message hinting at suicidal intentions to family members. When Stolyar and her husband, Anatoly Ioffe, entered the home, they also fell victim to the violent outburst. Following the shooting, Kot reportedly took his own life.
More than 20 spent shell casings were collected from the scene, indicating that multiple shots were fired at each victim. Detectives continue to seek clarity on the motivations behind this tragic incident, as the investigation unfolds.
The community is left grappling with the aftermath of this shocking violence, raising questions about mental health support and preventive measures in similar situations.