Edited by: TJVNews.com
In a tragic turn of events, it was recently reported that a real estate agent based in Florida was fatally shot outside a house that she was showing. The New York Post report indicated that a neighbor said that Sara-Michelle Trost, 40, was targeted in a case of mistaken identity. The neighbor said that a renter mistook her for the building’s landlord.
Speaking to Local News 10 in the Coral Springs area, Donna Smith said: “There was a disgruntled tenant who was evicted. He thought that the realtor, who was showing the home … was the owner of the house” when he ambushed her in her car, as was reported by the NY Post.
The Post reported that Coral Springs Police said that Raymond Wesley Reese, 51, was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Trost on Thursday.
The shooting took place while Trost sat in the driver’s seat of her Jeep outside the home where Reese had previously lived. Paramedics called to the scene were unable to save her, according to the Post report.
In Coral Springs, Trost owned and operated 1% Lists SoFlo, a discount real estate brokerage, according to the Post report. Apparently, she had been enjoying success in the real estate field and was a single mother.
The Sun Sentinel reported that Reese was apprehended on Thursday and booked the local police station.
“At this time there are no additional suspects being sought, nor is there a threat to the community,” Coral Springs Police said.
“Is it a crazy time for real estate? YES!,” she posted on her business’s Facebook page on Thursday morning, hours before she was killed, according to the Post report. “But even so, just when you think it will ‘slow down for the holidays’… errrrm… NO!”
The Post reported that Trost went on to describe a property she listed on Monday “thinking it will be so quiet…. totally wrong!” she wrote. “Just goes to show… never underestimate the power of a gorgeous home in a low-supply and high-demand area! Congrats to the lucky buyer!
In addition to dedicating herself to her real estate business, Trost also spent time volunteering for the Paw Patrol Animal Rescue & Sanctuary.
“Our heart goes out to Sara Michelle, her daughter, her husband Jason, and her whole family, her fur children, as well as her human child,” said Rachel Lucuara, of the Paw Patrol Animal Rescue & Sanctuary.