Sarasota shooting suspect arrested after vehicle crash, hours-long stand-off with police
Booked photo for Peggy Hinkle. Courtesy: Sarasota County Jail.
SARASOTA, Fla. - One person was hospitalized and another was arrested after a fight between two drivers led to gunfire and a standoff Wednesday evening in Sarasota.
The Sarasota Police Department said 53-year-old Peggy Hinkle is facing two charges of attempted murder after the shooting in the 1100 block of Sylvan Drive at around 5:45 p.m.
According to investigators, a man went to 1124 Sylvan Drive to gather belongings with another man who was accompanying him, so he wouldn't be alone. The two noticed Hinkle's car parked in the garage, so one of the men started recording video when they went inside, SPD said.
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Once inside, police said Hinkle confronted the two victims with a handgun and ended up pulling the trigger, but it didn't go off. Both men were able to wrestle the gun out of her hands, and ran from the home, authorities said.
Sarasota SWAT team outside of a home where a shooting suspected barricaded herself inside. Image is courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department.
The two men ran outside and go in their car to leave, but Hinkle shot at their car as they drove off, SPD officials said. She then got in her car and started following them.
The victims eventually pulled into the parking lot of a business in the 1600 block of North Tamiami Trail where Hinkle followed them, police said. Both vehicles crashed, and the suspect started shooting at the victim's car.
One of the bullets hit one of the men in the head, the police department said.
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The other man who wasn't injured was able to drive away, and the injured victim told him to head to the Sarasota Police Department rather than the hospital, according to investigators.
Police vehicles and crime scene tape outside of a SWAT situation in Sarasota. Image is courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department.
Hinkle did end up returning home after the two men drove off from the parking lot, officials said. But, officers said they responded to the home on Sylvan Drive after a report of an armed woman barricaded inside and making threats to harm herself and others.
Sarasota police said the SWAT team, crisis negotiation unit, emergency response team, drone unit, patrol division and criminal investigations division swarmed the area. SPD's marine unit was also staged in the water behind the home with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office flying over the scene to monitor as well.
After law enforcement arrived, the two victims showed up at SPD's headquarters in their damaged car, investigators said. The victim that was shot in the head was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to police.
Hinkle did eventually surrender peacefully at around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, and she was taken to the Sarasota County Jail. She is currently being held without bond, officials said.
Sarasota police said the case remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Steven Fergus at (941) 263-6059 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling (941) 366-TIPS.