charlotte sun
NORTH PORT — Police say when Daryl Smith and Andrea Stranko returned home early Sunday morning from a neighborhood party, Daryl's ex-girlfriend, Morgan Jane Smith, 35, was waiting for them with a shotgun.
Witnesses say Daryl, 44, jumped in front of Andrea, 46, when he saw Morgan holding the gun. She fired a single shot, hitting Daryl in the shoulder and continuing through his back, striking Andrea in the upper body and killing her instantly, North Port police said.
Sgt. Eric Stender was at Fire Station 81 on Price Boulevard and heard the shotgun blast, according to Detective Lt. Kevin Sullivan. Stender responded within two minutes to the South Salford home near Wooley Avenue.
A witness who was at the party next to Daryl's home on the 2700 block of South Salford Boulevard wrestled Morgan to the ground. When Stender arrived around 1:50 a.m., two people were holding her down in the front yard, Sullivan said. Daryl was found in the home's front lanai, and Andrea was just inside the house.
The couple had spent the evening watching the mixed martial arts "Ultimate Fighting Championship" at the party, according to the neighbor who held the get-together.
Daryl was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg with serious injuries, police said. He was in stable condition late Sunday.
Morgan, who lives at the Toledo Club Apartments on Island Club Drive, off Toledo Blade Boulevard, was charged with premeditated murder in Andrea's death and attempted murder in Daryl's shooting.
Sullivan said he believes Daryl and Morgan were involved "a while ago." It appears their same last names are a coincidence. The couple have a daughter together, and Andrea had an adult son from a previous relationship.
"You could say (Morgan) may have been stalking the couple, since she knew where they were at nearly 2 a.m.," Sullivan said. "We are going to follow up and put all of the pieces together."
According to the neighbor who threw the party, Daryl and Andrea, who lived together at the South Salford home, were "great people who were both very happy." The neighbor called Andrea "a beautiful and pleasant person."
Police say Morgan likely did not intend to shoot Daryl, an unemployed contractor whose birthday was Sunday.
"We believe the female victim was the target," said Sullivan, who added the investigation is ongoing. Police have been unable to speak to Daryl.
In November, Morgan was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and battery, according to Sarasota court records.
On Friday morning, police responded to Morgan's apartment for a possible suicide alert after she reportedly e-mailed her will to Daryl, sent him text messages and sent her daughter up north the night before. She allegedly had a shotgun in the apartment.
However, police determined that Morgan was stable and no threat to herself, and elected not to Baker Act her. The action temporarily detains someone while a mental health evaluation is done to provide treatment if needed, on a voluntary or involuntary basis.
After officers arrived at the scene early Sunday, Morgan reportedly surrendered without further resistance.
She is being held at the Sarasota County Jail without bond. Her next court appearance is set for April 23.
Sunday's shooting was the first murder in North Port this year.
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