Authorities say a woman, a child and a dog were shot at a Mondrian Court home.
SARASOTA, Fla. — A Sarasota County arrest affidavit gives new details in a double killing that deputies say left a woman, her 6-year-old son and a family dog dead after a pool visit Saturday.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office charged 34-year-old Nicholas Novickis with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of animal cruelty. Deputies identified the victims as Allie Novickis, 34, and Phoenix Novickis, 6. The sheriff’s office said the shooting happened at a home in the Artistry neighborhood.
Deputies responded to the 4700 block of Mondrian Court shortly before noon after a report of shots fired. The neighborhood sits east of Interstate 75 near Palmer Boulevard and Lorraine Road. When deputies arrived, they found Nicholas Novickis in the kitchen and took him into custody without incident, officials said.
The affidavit says Novickis’ mother told investigators the family had come to her home to swim. She went back to sleep upstairs, then woke to glass breaking. From upstairs, she saw her son outside with a shotgun, according to the affidavit. She called 911 as the violence continued, investigators said.
Sheriff’s officials said the woman and child were found dead at the home. The dog was shot and later died after being taken to an emergency veterinarian. Investigators said video from the pool lanai showed no clear sign of an argument before the shooting. The sheriff’s office has not released a motive.
The case now moves through the criminal court system as detectives continue their investigation. Novickis is being held without bond at the Sarasota County Correctional Facility. Officials have not announced a trial date, and prosecutors are expected to review the evidence before any further court action.
By Wednesday, the home on Mondrian Court had become the center of a homicide investigation in a normally quiet gated community. Authorities said there was no continuing threat to the public after the arrest.
Author note: Last updated May 27, 2026.