Mentally Ill Man Shot, Killed During Break-In Identified: Sheriff

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — The man shot and killed during an attempted break-in in Sarasota’s DeSoto Lakes area Tuesday night has been identified as 29-year-old Aaron Pischer, who has a history of mental health issues, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office shared in a news release on social media Thursday.

Deputies were initially called to the 4100 block of 47th Street, where Pischer lived with his family, at 11:04 p.m. Tuesday to assist the Sarasota County Fire Department with a medical call regarding him.

Pischer’s family told deputies that he was experiencing mental health issues and appeared disoriented that evening, which is why they called 911. He ran away from their home just before deputies arrived, the sheriff’s office said.

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While deputies were looking for Pischer, the Sarasota County Public Safety Communications Center received a report of a shooting at a home less than half a mile away at 11:17 p.m., the sheriff’s office said.

When Pischer attempted to break into a home in the 4500 block of 47th Street, the homeowner shot and killed him in self-defense, the sheriff’s office said. Deputies are continuing to investigate.