Authorities in Florida are investigating one of the most shocking acts of violence in recent memory after a domestic homicide in Fort Lauderdale escalated into a cross-state killing spree that left seven people dead, including the suspected gunman. What began inside a private residence in the Victoria Park neighborhood quickly evolved into a calculated and methodical rampage stretching across hundreds of miles to the Gulf Coast city of Sarasota, stunning communities in both regions and leaving investigators piecing together the timeline of what officials describe as a deliberate campaign of extermination.

According to law enforcement briefings, 51-year-old Russell Kot allegedly began the sequence of violence by killing his former partner, 46-year-old Larisa Blyudaya, inside her home in Fort Lauderdale. Also killed in that initial attack was her 18-year-old son, Ben Azizov. Authorities believe the incident occurred in the early hours, though exact timestamps remain under investigation as forensic teams continue processing evidence from the property. Neighbors in Victoria Park reported hearing disturbances but did not immediately grasp the magnitude of what had unfolded until emergency vehicles flooded the area.

Rather than fleeing the state or attempting to evade capture following the double homicide, investigators say Kot entered his vehicle and drove approximately three hours across Florida with what detectives now believe was a specific objective. Surveillance data and toll records are being reviewed to reconstruct the route taken from the southeast coast to Sarasota on the west coast. Officials indicated during a press conference that the suspect’s movements suggest planning rather than impulsive escape behavior.

Upon arriving in Sarasota, authorities allege Kot forced entry into the residence of Blyudaya’s parents. Inside the home, investigators say he carried out a series of additional killings that extended the devastation across three generations of the same family. Among those fatally shot were 66-year-old Florita Stolyar, identified as Blyudaya’s mother; 39-year-old Yaroslav Blyudoy, her brother; and 49-year-old Olga Greinert, described by relatives as a close family friend who had fled conflict in Ukraine seeking safety in the United States. Law enforcement officials characterized the shootings as systematic, noting evidence that each victim was targeted individually inside the residence.

Authorities further reported that 61-year-old Anatoly “Tony” Ioffe, Blyudaya’s stepfather, was ambushed outside the home. Investigators say he was shot in the front yard as he returned to the property, suggesting the suspect may have waited for his arrival. The sequence of killings inside and outside the Sarasota residence left investigators confronting what one official described as “a scene of calculated devastation.”

After the shootings, authorities state that Kot died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the same Sarasota home. Officers responding to emergency calls discovered multiple victims and secured the property before confirming the suspect’s death. Firearms believed to have been used in both locations have been recovered and are undergoing ballistic analysis. Officials have not yet released details about how the suspect legally obtained the weapon or whether there had been prior reports of threats.

The case has sent shockwaves through Florida, linking two coastal cities in a single chain of violence that unfolded over the course of several hours. Community members in both Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota held vigils as news of the killings spread. Friends described Blyudaya as a devoted mother, while neighbors in Sarasota spoke of a quiet household now permanently altered by tragedy. The inclusion of a family friend who had previously fled international conflict added another layer of heartbreak to an already devastating narrative.

Law enforcement agencies are continuing to examine potential warning signs that may have preceded the attack. Court records are being reviewed to determine whether there had been prior domestic disputes, restraining orders, or documented threats. While authorities have not publicly detailed the suspect’s motive, investigators have indicated that the pattern of travel and targeting strongly suggests intentional pursuit rather than random violence.

Experts in domestic violence prevention note that escalation following relationship breakdowns can sometimes involve extended family members, particularly when the perpetrator harbors resentment beyond the immediate partner. The cross-state element of this case has intensified scrutiny, raising questions about how quickly situations can deteriorate and how warning signals might be identified earlier.

Residents in Victoria Park described Russell Kot as reserved and largely private. Some acquaintances reportedly characterized him as quiet and professional in demeanor. Those descriptions now stand in stark contrast to the scale of violence alleged by authorities. Investigators caution that outward appearances often fail to reveal internal turmoil or potential for harm.

The logistical component of the case — including the three-hour drive across Florida after the initial killings — remains central to the investigation. Detectives are analyzing phone records, digital communications and vehicle tracking data to determine whether the Sarasota victims were aware of any threat before the suspect’s arrival. Authorities have not disclosed whether the suspect communicated with anyone during the drive.

Officials in both cities emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public following the suspect’s death. However, grief counselors and victim assistance resources have been mobilized to support relatives and community members affected by the tragedy. Local leaders described the incident as one of the most devastating multi-location homicide cases in recent state history.

As investigators continue to assemble a comprehensive timeline, questions remain about how a domestic conflict escalated into a coordinated, multi-city massacre within a single day. The incident underscores the far-reaching impact of intimate partner violence and the potential for harm extending beyond the immediate relationship.

For now, communities in Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota are left mourning seven lives lost in what authorities allege was a calculated act of vengeance that unfolded with chilling precision. The investigation remains active as officials work to determine whether any prior intervention could have altered the course of events and to provide clarity to families grappling with sudden and overwhelming loss.