In a tragedy that has left communities in shock, a violent spree on February 10, 2026, claimed seven lives across two Florida cities: Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota. The incident, described by authorities as a murder-suicide, began in South Florida and ended in a quiet suburban neighborhood up north, leaving families grappling with unimaginable grief.

The suspect, 51-year-old Russell Kot, allegedly started the rampage at a home in Fort Lauderdale’s Victoria Park area. There, he fatally shot his ex-girlfriend, 46-year-old Larisa Blyudaya, and her 18-year-old son, Ben Azizov. Kot then drove approximately 200 miles north to Sarasota County, targeting a residence in the Amberlea neighborhood near Proctor and McIntosh roads.

At the Sarasota home, Kot is believed to have killed four more people: 66-year-old Florita Stolyar (Larisa’s mother), 61-year-old Anatoly Ioffe (Stolyar’s husband and Larisa’s stepfather), 39-year-old Yaroslav “Stan” Blyudoy (Stolyar’s son and Larisa’s brother), and 49-year-old Olga Greinert, a family friend and housekeeper who was assisting with household chores that day.

Greinert, originally from Ukraine, had relocated to Sarasota with her teenage son to escape the ongoing war in her homeland. Described by loved ones as kind, warm, and deeply devoted, she was a single mother who prioritized her children’s future. Tragically, she was one week away from celebrating her 50th birthday. Reports indicate she was in the midst of texting a friend when the attack occurred, her message left unfinished—a heartbreaking detail that underscores the suddenness of the violence. Investigators recovered more than 20 shell casings at the scene, with each victim suffering multiple gunshot wounds.

After the Sarasota killings, Kot sent a suicidal message to family members before taking his own life. Authorities discovered additional weapons, ammunition, knives, rope, tape, and an axe in his vehicle, suggesting premeditation. The motive remains under investigation, though connections point to a personal dispute tied to Kot’s past relationship with Blyudaya.

The victims’ families have expressed profound sorrow and confusion. Greinert’s teenage son spoke of the pain of never seeing his mother again, while planning a birthday celebration that will never happen. Friends and relatives remember her as a compassionate helper who built a new life in America through hard work and love for her family. Memorial services, including one attended by dozens in Sarasota, have honored her memory and that of the others lost.

This cross-state horror has reignited discussions on gun violence and domestic-related threats in Florida. Communities in both cities continue to support the grieving families through fundraisers and gatherings, as they seek answers and attempt to find solace amid the devastation. The senseless loss of innocent lives, particularly that of an hardworking immigrant mother caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, serves as a somber reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike.