Authorities in Florida are investigating a tragic series of shootings that claimed the lives of several people across two cities. According to law enforcement officials, officers in Fort Lauderdale responded to a home on the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 10, to conduct a wellness check. When they arrived around 1:30 p.m., they discovered two individuals deceased inside the residence.
Police identified the victims as 46-year-old Larisa Blyudaya and her 18-year-old son, Ben Azizov.
Around the same time, approximately 200 miles away in Sarasota, authorities responded to another home where four additional people were found dead from gunshot wounds. Officials identified them as 49-year-old Olga Greinert, 66-year-old Florita Stolyar, 61-year-old Anatoly Ioffe, and 39-year-old Yaroslav Blyudoy.
Law enforcement officials said the suspected gunman was 51-year-old Russell Kot. According to police, he had previously been in a romantic relationship with Blyudaya. Authorities reported that he was found deceased from a gunshot wound at the Sarasota residence.
Investigators believe the incidents in both cities are connected. The case remains under active investigation as authorities work to piece together the timeline and circumstances surrounding the shootings.
Family members and loved ones have described the victims as deeply devoted to one another and central to their community. A fundraiser created to support surviving relatives shared heartfelt messages about those who were lost.
“They were not just names in a headline,” the fundraiser states. “They were loving parents, devoted family members, cherished children, and dear friends. Their loss leaves an unfillable space in the hearts of everyone who knew them.”
According to the fundraiser, five of the victims were related. Officials have not publicly clarified the exact relationships of all six individuals.
Loved ones described 18-year-old Ben Azizov as a young man whose life was just beginning. Larisa Blyudaya was remembered as a dedicated mother and family member. Yaroslav “Stan” Blyudoy was described as a cherished son and fiancé. Florita Stolyar was known as a devoted wife and mother, while Anatoly Ioffe was remembered as a steady and caring presence in the lives of those around him.
Communities in both Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota are mourning the loss. Local authorities have expressed their condolences to the families affected and continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this devastating event.
Officials have not indicated any ongoing threat to the public. Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact law enforcement.
As the investigation continues, family members are leaning on community support while remembering the lives and legacies of those taken far too soon.
