North Port Man Convicted In Roommate's Fatal Shooting

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — A man who authorities said fatally shot his roommate in the head at their North Port home in 2023 has been convicted of charges in connection with her death, according to 12th Circuit State Attorney Ed Brodsky.

On Friday, a jury found Darryl Dye guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm following a five-day trial. The charge carries a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

On August 7, 2023, the North Port Police Department received a phone call from Dye, who told officers that his roommate was dead. No further details were mentioned during the call, except when asked if he would attempt CPR, Dye told police the situation “was beyond that.”

When police arrived at the home, officers said it was "immediately apparent" the victim had been shot multiple times with a firearm.

Authorities later found a gun in a silver briefcase in Dye's bedroom. Sitting on top of the briefcase was Dye's wallet with his identification card. Also in the briefcase were several magazines, bullets, a holster, and Dye's prescription pills.

Dye's gun was later identified as the murder weapon through forensic testing, and further testing revealed the defendant’s DNA on the weapon.

The victim’s autopsy revealed she was shot twice in the head and once in the neck while she was sitting on her
bed in her room.

While the case was pending, prosecutors said Dye made admissions to family members and others that he killed the victim in self-defense. The admissions contradicted his trial testimony, during which he stated he had no idea what
happened to the victim.

In a statement, Assistant State Attorney Jordan Greene called the conviction a team effort between investigators and prosecutors.

“It is truly humbling to be able to achieve justice for the victim of such a horrific and senseless act of violence," Greene said.