A Sarasota, Florida man is facing murder charges, accused of fatally shooting his 6-year-old son and girlfriend during a visit at his mother’s home on Memorial Day weekend.
On May 23, at around 11:38 a.m., Sarasota County sheriff’s deputies responded to a home in the 4700 block of Mondrian Court in Sarasota’s Artistry neighborhood after Donna Novickis reported to 911 that her son, Nicholas Novickis, 34, shot his girlfriend, Allie Novickis, 34, son Phoenix Novickis, 6, and their dog.
Allie and Phoenix Novickis had both been shot in the head and were pronounced dead at the scene. The dog was taken to a vet clinic, where it later died.
Nicholas Novickis was arrested at the scene and charged with the killings.
Authorities said they have been unable to confirm whether Nicholas and Allie were married.
Here’s what we know about the deadly shooting:
What happened in the Artistry Sarasota shooting?
During a sworn police interview, Donna Novickis said that Nicholas, Allie, and Phoenix Novickis came to visit. When they arrived, Nicholas entered Donna’s room and told her they were there to swim.
Donna Novickis went back to sleep, only to later be awakened by the sound of breaking glass, a police affidavit states.
She said she went to the back lanai and saw Phoenix Novickis standing near the doorway. Nicholas Novickis, she said, then walked out onto the lanai with a shotgun and shot his son one time in the head, killing him. Donna Novickis called 911, and while on the phone, Nicholas Novickis shot the dog and then dropped the shotgun, which Donna Novickis retrieved, the affidavit states.
As she moved through the home she observed that Allie Novickis had also been shot, according to the affidavit.
Donna Novickis later provided surveillance video that showed Nicholas Novickis walking out onto the lanai while holding a shotgun. The shooting of Phoenix Novickis was captured on video; the shooting of Allie Novickis was not.
What was the motive for the shooting?
The motive for the killings is unknown at this time.
Per the affidavit, there did not appear to be an argument or disturbance before the shooting.
Who is Nicholas Novickis?
Records indicate Nicholas Novickis is from Illinois and recently moved to Sarasota.
His address is listed as a downtown Sarasota luxury apartment building.
In April 2025, Novickis received a traffic ticket in Sarasota for unlawful speed in a school zone. He was driving 11 mph over the posted limit of 20 mph and paid a $206 fine for the infraction.
Novickis’ address on the ticket was listed as a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home in West Chicago. Zillow lists the home as being worth $636,000.
His occupation is unknown.
What was Nicholas Novickis charged with? Where is he now?
Nicholas Novickis was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of animal cruelty.
While waiting to be interviewed, he reportedly made a spontaneous utterance in the interview room, stating his regret for the murders.
He is being held without bond in the Sarasota County Jail.
Where is the Artistry Sarasota neighborhood?
Artistry Sarasota is advertised as a single-family home community featuring a lakefront clubhouse, resort-style pool, playground and nature trail.
Located at the eastern end of Palmer Boulevard near Lorraine Road, the neighborhood sits east of Interstate 75 in Sarasota County.
Kim Luciani is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s Audience team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://heraldtribune.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida man kills son, girlfriend in shooting. What happened
Reporting by Kim Luciani, Chris Anderson and Wade Tatangelo, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
