David Morse, a 48-year-old man from Sarasota, Florida, was tragically killed on May 16, 2016. Morse, who was walking along 47th Street, was struck by a bullet and found dead outside his home. An autopsy confirmed that he suffered a fatal gunshot wound. The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into his death, which was classified as a homicide.
The investigation revealed that the bullet that killed Morse originated from a residence located at 4632 N. Shade Avenue.
On the day of the incident, a person at this address was reportedly shooting a firearm in the direction of a wooden fence on the rear of the property. Several bullets were recovered from the scene, including the one that struck and killed Morse, two bullets that struck a residence in the 2000 block of Golf Course Drive, and two more bullets along with several .22 caliber shell casings in the rear lawn of the Shade Avenue property. An initial ballistics report from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) indicated that the bullet recovered from Morse's body came from a .22 caliber weapon. Detectives collected two .22 caliber weapons from the residence, one of which had been purchased on the day of Morse's death. However, due to the condition of the bullet, the FDLE was unable to definitively identify or eliminate the bullet as being fired from the seized weapon.
Despite the ongoing investigation, the person responsible for firing the fatal shot remains unidentified. Detectives believe that Morse was not intentionally targeted, but rather a victim of a stray bullet. The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has continued to analyze evidence and urged anyone with information to come forward, hoping that even small bits of information could help connect the dots and bring resolution to the case.
David Morse's death has left a significant impact on his community. He was remembered as a friendly and kind individual who would often wave to his neighbors. The mystery surrounding his death has left his family and friends seeking answers and justice. The investigation remains active, with detectives working diligently to solve the case and provide closure to those affected by this tragic incident.
