Man found guilty in 2015 double-murder in Sarasota

A Sarasota man was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder for the June 2015 fatal shooting of two men.

On Thursday, Judge Debra Riva sentenced Ronald E. Howard, 66, to serve two consecutive life terms for the murders of Carlos Suarez and Johnnie Campbell Jr. He was also sentenced 15 years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which will run concurrent with the life sentences.

On June 15, 2015, 83-year-old Carlos Suarez and 65-year-old Johnnie Campbell Jr. were found shot to death by Howard, Sarasota police say, in front of Campbell’s residence after an argument erupted among the men.

In the incident report, police say that the men were neighbors and had known one another for quite some time. Witnesses told responding officers that Howard and the two men had a dispute earlier in the day and that following the argument Howard told them he “felt bad” and was going to apologize.

Howard then reportedly told both men “God bless you” and closed the door. Minutes later, witnesses told police that Howard shot both men in the head in the front yard of 1763 33rd St.

Following the shooting, witnesses told officers that Howard sat down in the carport area until law enforcement arrived. Police say a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver was in the yard and Howard had blood on his hands.

This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 4:59 PM with the headline "Man found guilty in 2015 double-murder in Sarasota."