Fatal robbery reported at Zota Beach Resort.

LONGBOAT KEY — A night manager and security guard were shot and killed during a robbery at a new Longboat Key resort, and police were still searching late Friday for the person or people responsible.

Longboat Key Police Chief Peter Cumming said Friday the victims, identified as night manager Timothy Hurley, 51, of Sarasota and Victory Security security guard Kevin Carter, 59, of Bradenton, were fatally shot during a robbery about 2:40 a.m. Friday at Zota Beach Resort, 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive. He said investigators were working on leads on the suspects and reviewing video evidence. He said it appeared to be an isolated robbery.

A robber came in and confronted the person at the front desk, said Cumming.

A resort guest called 911. Officers were considering the possibility that there were two robbers rather than one.

It has been about 17 years since the last homicide on Longboat Key, said Cumming, who said he is optimistic the killer or killers will be found.

"We have a lot of talent working on it," he said.

A reward of $18,000 is being offered by the resort and law enforcement for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case. Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.

Police had not issued a report with more information or a description of a suspect or suspects by Friday evening. Cumming's cell phone mail box was full later Friday and the main landline at the Longboat Key Police Department had been forwarded to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

Calls to the management of the Zota Beach Resort and Victory Security were not returned as of late Friday.

Longboat Key has a crime rate of "almost zero," Cumming said, and "among the best in the nation."

"This is an anomaly," he said. "I don't believe this isolated crime raises the risk of crime in the island."

Guests were permitted to leave the resort at about 10:30 a.m.

Ben Haynes, 78, was riding his bike by the beach resort Friday morning when he saw the police cars. He stopped to see what was going on, initially thinking it was a protest against U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key. But when he saw the forensic truck, his curiosity was piqued.

"I've never seen anything like this," he said. "This is new."

Haynes said he's lived in Bradenton for 17 years and often visits the key for bike rides. He usually takes the route in front of the resort.

"This is the safest route," Haynes said. "Or so I thought."

John Peterson, who is vacationing at the Sandy Cay Beach Resort next to Zota, said he found out about the shooting after he heard helicopters and saw the news.

Peterson said the crime wouldn't affect his vacation, adding he planned to visit the beach later in the day.

"I'm from New York, so it's OK," he said. "We're used to murders there, it happens a lot."

The Zota Beach Resort, which has 187 guest rooms and suites, celebrated its grand opening and started welcoming guests on June 23. It replaced a former Hilton on the same site.

Its website describes it as "Longboat's newest luxury beach resort," offering "easy access to the upscale shopping, entertainment and restaurants at St. Armands Circle"

Staff Writers Dale White and Alan Shaw contributed to this report.

Raw video from the scene with Police Chief Cumming:

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