An off-duty police officer was assaulted in Payne Park in Sarasota. The Sarasota Police Officer was jogging – off duty – at Payne Park just after noon. He noticed a homeless individual being harassed, pushed and hit by group teenagers. The off-duty officer identified himself as a Sarasota Police Officer and told the teenagers to stop. At least 5 teenagers stopped harassing the homeless individual and turned their aggression on the off-duty officer, striking him several times and injuring him. An official says the officer suffered minor injuries. The investigation is active and ongoing at this time.
