Authorities say Tyran Young hoped to implicate relative in hopes of serving less jail time on unrelated charge

SARASOTA — Tyran Young, according to the Sarasota Police Department, devised a plan. He would place an automated call to 911, shoot at the first responders upon arrival, insert himself as a witness and implicate his juvenile nephew. The goal was to receive reduced jail time in a prior case.

The plan backfired with his arrest.

The 32-year-old Sarasota man has been charged in connection with the shooting that occurred on Jan. 7 after paramedics were called to a home on Goodrich Avenue in Sarasota. Police Chief Bernadette DiPino said the shooting was of particular interest to law enforcement agencies around the state who were concerned the incident could spark a trend of similar incidents.

"We are especially pleased because it brings some closure to a case against one of our fellow first responders," DiPino said Friday at a news conference. "It's one near and dear to our hearts because we work with our fellow firefighters on a daily basis. We expect people to shoot at us as police officers, but when you hear about someone shooting at paramedics, it's very disturbing.

"These are people who respond every single day to people in need, and it is very troubling. I'm glad we were able to bring justice to the paramedics and the entire firefighter community."

Young is facing two counts of aggravated assault on a firefighter, one count of shooting into a vehicle, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. All are felonies. He is also charged with misuse of 911, a misdemeanor.

"This is very relieving to all first responders who do good work out there every day," said Sarasota County Fire Department Chief Michael Regnier, who said some policy changes have been implemented to improve safety for paramedics responding to 911 calls because of this incident.

Chain of events

According to Young's arrest report, an automated call was placed to 911 requesting assistance be sent to a home on Goodrich Avenue. The voice on the call stated, in part, "Please send help. I fell really hard." The message repeated itself several times during the call. An ambulance was dispatched, and when the paramedics discovered the occupant of the home did not place the call, they packed their gear and returned to the vehicle. A short time later, multiple shots from a .380 pistol were fired at the ambulance. No one was injured.

Young, the report said, portrayed himself to police as a witness and said a nephew was responsible for the shooting. He hoped to parlay the information to the police in order to receive less jail time for an unrelated crime. Young, according to court records, is a five-time felon and has faced charges in the past including robbery, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, aggravated battery, domestic battery, cocaine trafficking, fraud and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Young, who was still portraying himself as a witness, consented to the search of a shed he was living in on Goodrich Avenue. Detectives, according to the report, found a .380 bullet at the foot of Young's bed. DNA was found on the bullet and it was matched to Kyran Young from a previous case.

Kyran Young is Tyran Young's identical twin brother, thus they share the same DNA.

A search warrant for the shed was later issued and a black LG smartphone was found. A Google search was conducted on the phone 30 minutes prior to the shooting containing the words "text talk message help me i fell and i can't move my address is 2932 goodrich avenue sarasota florida 34234 send help please talk text.'' It was similar to the 911 call and the address was the same as where the shooting occurred.

According to the report, investigators believe Young made a "dry run" 911 call on Nov. 19, to a different home on Goodrich Avenue that did not result in shots being fired at first responders.

"We think this was calculated," DiPino said.

DiPino said the firearm used in the shooting has yet to be recovered, and she asked that anyone with additional information come forward.

"This arrest brings closure and justice to first responders who risk their lives every single day to protect our community and society," she said. "The person responsible for putting fear into our city is behind bars, and justice will now be served."