BREAKING: Suspect in Summerport shooting found dead inside home

The suspect involved in a Tuesday, Jan. 27, shooting incident in the Summerport community in Horizon West died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Orange County Sheriff’s Office officials reported tonight.

The suspect had barricaded himself inside the home at 14255 Sonco Ave., Windermere. 

After hours of making call-outs for the suspect to come out of the residence, deputies made entry and found the suspect deceased.

Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports of a domestic-related shooting at about 2:30 p.m. When deputies arrived, they discovered a woman on the sidewalk who had been shot. That woman was taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Deputies closed a portion of the Summerport neighborhood on Sonco Avenue and Bluebird Park Road because of the ongoing incident. 

Dozens of officers descended on the scene, including several SWAT vehicles, drones and a helicopter. Residents were not allowed to leave their homes, and the entire area was shut down. 

Michael Ollendorff, Orange County Public Schools public information officer, said Keene's Crossing Elementary School was placed on a secure status, which means students are inside the building and doors are locked.

Students slowly were released to their parents. Ollendorff said Bridgewater Middle School was not affected. 

For nearly six hours, Sheriff’s Office deputies tried to convince the suspect to leave the residence.

Although the identities of the suspect and victim have not been released, Orange County Property Appraiser records list the owners of the home at 14255 Sonco Ave. as Richard Stoner and Patricia Arruda.