FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A tragic series of shootings this week left six people dead across two locations in South Florida, culminated in the suspected shooter also taking his own life. Authorities have identified the suspect as 51-year-old Russell Kot, whose violent spree spanned more than 200 miles.

The investigation began in an upscale Fort Lauderdale neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon, where Kot allegedly shot and killed Larisa Blyudaya, 46, and her son, Ben Azivov, 18, inside a home. Following these heinous acts, Kot traveled northwest to Sarasota County, where he murdered four other individuals.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that Kot was found dead in Sarasota County, although they have not disclosed the exact circumstances of his death. It is believed he succumbed to self-inflicted wounds. Investigators located his vehicle in the vicinity of the crime scenes, helping to link the two incidents.

Witnesses from the Amberlea neighborhood reported hearing gunfire and subsequently found a man shot in his front yard. Neighbors attempted to perform CPR, but the victim was later pronounced dead. Law enforcement later discovered three additional victims inside the home, with some reports indicating a total of four deceased individuals.

While detectives were probing the Sarasota murders, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department alerted them of a simultaneous double homicide that appeared to be connected. Officers noted that a vehicle associated with the suspect had been seen heading through Punta Gorda shortly after the Fort Lauderdale incidents.

Details regarding the victims are emerging, but officials have yet to clarify their relationships. However, reports indicate that Kot had a romantic connection with Blyudaya. The four victims in Sarasota have been identified as Olga Greinert, 49; Florita Stolyar, 67; Anatoly Ioffe, 61; and Yaroslav “Stan” Blyudoy, 39.

Social media has played a role in connecting the victims, particularly as many identified ties to Ukraine. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the families of five out of the six victims, emphasizing a sense of community in the wake of the tragedy.

Investigators continue to work to unravel the events that led to this gruesome series of killings, as police agencies collaborate to provide answers and support for the affected families. As the community grapples with this horrific loss, the relationships among the victims and the motives behind these actions remain under scrutiny.