Arrest Made in Urfer Park Incident

NEWS RELEASE 18-053 - MARCH 14, 2018
Melendez, Amir

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested a 20-year-old Sarasota man in connection with a reported shooting at Urfer Park on Thursday.

Deputies first responded to 4000 Honore Avenue just after 4:30 p.m., for reports of shots fired. According to reports, the suspect fired several shots from a handgun before fleeing into a nearby wooded area. Both the sheriff’s office Aviation Unit and K-9 units responded and established a perimeter however, deputies were unable to locate the suspect. On Friday, detectives received a tip that Amir Melendez, DOB 09/14/97, was responsible for the shooting. Further investigation revealed Melendez and a relative were involved in a dispute when Melendez used a firearm to shoot directly up and into the air. Detectives recovered a single bullet casing at the scene which further corroborated the incident.

Melendez was charged Tuesday with a single count of Discharging a Firearm in a Public Place. He remains in custody today on $10,000 bond as well as several outstanding charges from the Sarasota Police Department including Attempted Burglary, Aggravated Stalking and Contempt of Court.