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Sheriff seeks details in Sarasota murder-suicide that killed 7
FFort Lauderdale

Sheriff seeks details in Sarasota murder-suicide that killed 7

  • February 20, 2026

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help as investigators continue working to determine a motive in a mass murder-suicide that killed seven people last week.

Russell Kot, 51, killed his ex-girlfriend and her son in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday before driving to Sarasota, where he killed four more people in the Amberlea subdivision off Proctor Road and then took his own life, according to the sheriff’s office.

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Sheriff Kurt Hoffman said investigators are still trying to determine what led to the shooting spree.

“If you have information relating to the individual who did kill himself there at the scene in terms of motivations, movements, any conversations he may have had, we’d certainly accept those tips and leads and information,” Hoffman said.

Online Fundraisers

Honoring the Stolyar, Blyudoy, Azizov and Ioffe families

Support for Olga Greinert’s children and family

Family members have started online fundraisers to help with funeral expenses for the victims. The fundraisers were close to reaching their goals as of Thursday.

Copyright 2026 WWSB. All rights reserved.

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  • Fort Lauderdale Headlines
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  • Russell Cott
  • sarasota mass shooting
  • Sheriff Kurt Hoffman
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