Death investigation underway along Tamiami Trail

Death investigation continues near Venice Plaza

FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon shares the latest after the death of 42-year-old Patrick Warrick on Tuesday along the South Tamiami Trail.

VENICE, Fla. - There are more questions than answers as Sarasota County deputies investigate a death along a busy road on Tuesday, according to the sheriff's office.

What we know:

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said deputies are investigating the death of Patrick Warrick, 42, as a homicide. Deputies responded to the 3900 block of South Tamiami Trail between SR 776 and Jacaranda Blvd., south of Venice, in the early morning hours on Tuesday.

Sarasota County deputies are conducting a death investigation along Tamiami Trail south of Venice.

SCSO says detectives spent hours combing the area for clues.

Local perspective:

Around 1 a.m. Laura Austin thought she saw a man sleeping.

"I said ‘Sir, are you okay?’ I rolled my window down. He didn’t respond, so I got out of the truck," Austin told FOX 13.

As soon as Austin got out of her truck, she knew something bad had happened.

"I called 911. 911 said ‘Is he breathing?’ I said, ‘It looks like he’s breathing shallow,’" said Austin.

First responders tried CPR, but there was nothing that could be done. Austin said she saw what likely caused his death.

"Maybe if I would have found him 10 minutes earlier, maybe he would have lived or something. He was shot here (she pointed to her chest) and right here in his stomach," said Austin.

Austin said a friend nearby heard gunshots shortly before she pulled into the plaza.

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Those who work at the plaza said it’s out of the ordinary for the area.

"Venice is a quiet town. We like it that way. I’ve been in this area a long time, but things do happen. So I feel bad about the person dying," said business owner Lucy Becht.

Becht said it’s enough to make her worry.

"Sometimes I stay late, but this is well lit. I still watch when I go to my car because somebody could come around the buildings," said Becht.

As investigators try to piece together what happened, Austin said she’ll never be able to forget the man’s face.

"I feel bad right now. I feel really upset, and I don’t know what to do. It could have been me too. I don’t know what else to say, it’s just kind of sad," she said.

What you can do:

Anyone with information about this case is urged to call SCSO's Criminal Investigation Section at 941-861-4900 or Crime Stoppers at 941-366-TIPS (8477).

The Source: This story was written with information collected by FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon and the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

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