Sarasota Police discover homicide during welfare check

Sarasota Police are investigating a possible homicide committed Tuesday near downtown Sarasota.

According to a news release, patrol officers were conducting a welfare check on a woman at a home in the 2200 block of Ringling Boulevard at about 8 p.m. Feb. 4.

The officers found the woman dead inside the home, apparently the victim of violence, the release said.

Police have identified a potential person of interest in the crime in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, where he is currently being detained. Detectives do not believe this was a random encounter, and say they are confident there is no threat to the public.