The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 47-year-old Port Charlotte man in connection with a fatal shooting outside a Venice bank.
Deputies were first called just after 9:00 a.m. on Monday for several reports of a shooting in the drive-thru area of the BB&T bank branch located at 160 Pointe Loop Drive. When deputies arrived, they located a 40-year-old woman deceased in the driver seat of a white Jeep in the parking lot. Through investigation, detectives learned a man later identified as William Tollard, DOB 05/15/73, walked up to the victim’s vehicle while in the first drive-thru teller lane. He was seen firing a handgun multiple times at the victim who was the only occupant. When the Jeep moved out of the drive-thru lane into the parking lot, witnesses saw Tollard approach the victim again, firing additional rounds. He then fled from the scene in a black pick-up which was quickly located by deputies unoccupied near the intersection of Princess Lane and Jacaranda Boulevard. Deputies observed a black semi-automatic handgun on the front passenger seat. Tollard was found on foot a short time later and taken into custody near Sklar Drive and Jacaranda Boulevard. He and the victim are known to one another, however their relationship is protected under Marsy’s Law.
Tollard, of 4410 Warren Avenue, is charged with a single count of Murder. He remains in custody at the Sarasota County Correctional Facility without bond while the investigation continues.