North Port man arrested, charged with homicide, staging death

A North Port man faces homicide and tampering with evidence charges after a woman’s death Tuesday.

The North Port Police Department was called to the 2200 block of Yancy Street Tuesday morning to respond to a possible suicide attempt. Upon arrival, a woman was found holding an AR-15 short barrel gun, and with a life-threatening gunshot wound to the head. She was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where she later died.

Detectives determined through their investigation that the woman’s wounds were not self-inflicted. Clinton Pittman, 38, was seen in surveillance video exiting the back door of the house with a handgun and tossing it into the woods near the house. Relatives of the victim also say she was right-handed, despite being found with the gun in her left hand. Detectives say Pittman knew the victim and this was not a random act of violence, but that there is no threat to the community. They believe he staged the scene of the crime to make it appear as though the victim had committed suicide.

Pittman faces charges of second-degree murder, tampering with evidence and two counts of possession of a firearm as a felon.

The identity of the victim cannot be released at this time.

Trust WINK News for updates.