HOMOSASSA, Fla. — A deadly shooting and hours-long standoff in Citrus County on Friday drew assistance from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, including its SWAT team, as authorities worked to bring the situation under control.
According to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to a residence on South Palmer Avenue in Homosassa at approximately 9:00 a.m. following reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, deputies heard additional shots coming from inside the home.
A juvenile who had been inside the residence managed to escape to a neighbor’s home, where he informed deputies that 37-year-old Michael Lee McClellan was inside and had shot a woman later identified as Sadie Gochis.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team responded to assist in securing the perimeter and containing the situation.
Negotiators engaged McClellan for several hours before he ultimately surrendered without further incident.
Upon entering the residence, deputies discovered that Sadie Gochis had died from her injuries.
“This was an emotional and dangerous situation from the start,” said Citrus County Sheriff David Vincent. “Our teams remained calm, focused, and worked tenaciously to prevent further loss of life. While we’re grateful the situation didn’t escalate further, we’re saddened by the tragic outcome. Our hearts go out to the family of the victim.”
Officials stated that details regarding formal charges against McClellan will be released as the investigation continues.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office expressed appreciation to Citrus County Fire Rescue for their rapid response and treatment of minor heat-related issues among personnel at the scene.
Sheriff Billy Woods and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team were also commended for their professional and timely assistance, which authorities say was instrumental in resolving the standoff safely.
