A family disturbance Thursday evening (April 2) escalated into gunfire after Sarasota County deputies shot and wounded a man who was armed with a handgun, deputies said.
The incident happened in the 2100 block of 59th Street, just two blocks south of University Parkway and east of U.S. 301.
Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at the home around 6:30 p.m. When they arrived, investigators said 55-year-old Robert James Boast pulled a firearm from his waistband and refused repeated commands to drop it. Deputies then opened fire.
Boast was taken to a hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition, deputies said.
Four deputies were on scene and made contact with Boast. The two who fired their weapons are now being interviewed and have been placed on paid administrative leave while the shooting is under investigation.
Illegal gambling operation busted in Sarasota, 2 arrested
Two people have been arrested following a months-long investigation into illegal gambling operations in Sarasota.
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested Mohamed Belyaqout, 52, and Mabielka C. Cumbrera, 45, for keeping and maintaining a gambling house and possession of slot machines at Spin 24/7 (formerly known as The SPOT Social Club), located at 5709 S. Beneva Road.
SCSO’s Intelligence Unit, Tactical Unit, Special Investigations Section and Patrol Bureau worked in coordination with the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
Belyaqout was taken into custody on March 26, and Cumbrera was arrested the following day at her Sarasota residence. Both were booked into the Sarasota County Correctional Facility.
Deputies seized 66 slot machines and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office previously issued a cease-and-desist letter to the business in April 2025.
Melissa Pérez-Carrillo covers breaking news and public safety for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Reach out at mperezcarrillo@gannett.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota deputies shoot armed man during domestic disturbance
Reporting by Melissa Pérez-Carrillo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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