Olga Greinert Obituary, Death; Five Dead in Sarasota Shooting; Authorities Probe Possible Link to Fort Lauderdale Killings

A peaceful Tuesday afternoon in Sarasota’s Amberlea neighborhood turned tragic when a shooting left five people dead, including the suspected gunman, prompting a wide-ranging investigation by local and state authorities.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office identified the alleged shooter as Russell Kot. The victims were named as Olga Greinert, 49; Florita Stolyar, 66; Anatoly Ioffe, 61; and Yaroslav Blyudoy, 39. All were found deceased inside a residence after deputies responded to a 12:30 p.m. call reporting gunfire.

Investigators believe Kot died from self-inflicted injuries. According to authorities, there is no known record of prior violent behavior or documented mental health concerns associated with him.

Detectives continue to work through an active investigation to determine what led up to the violence. A preliminary timeline suggests Kot’s vehicle entered the Amberlea neighborhood shortly after 11 a.m. A nearby home’s Ring camera reportedly captured the sound of gunshots soon afterward, helping investigators narrow the window of events.

Officials say the Sarasota incident may be connected to a separate double homicide in Fort Lauderdale, adding a troubling dimension to the case. Law enforcement sources indicated Kot’s vehicle was seen traveling north through Punta Gorda before arriving in Sarasota, following the earlier killings. Investigators have also confirmed that Kot had previously been in a romantic relationship with one of the Fort Lauderdale victims, who had personal ties to those killed in Sarasota.

Authorities have not yet identified a motive and stress that the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that could assist detectives is encouraged to contact the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau at 941-861-4900.