Sarasota, FL – A Sarasota County man has been sentenced to 50 years in Florida State Prison following a fatal shooting that investigators say stemmed from a family dispute earlier this year.
According to the State Attorney’s Office for the 12th Judicial Circuit, Trae Ward pleaded no contest to multiple charges connected to the May 1, 2025, killing of Reginald Graves. Prosecutors said Ward confronted Graves after an argument involving Ward’s sister, who had been in a romantic relationship with Graves. The two shared a child together.
Authorities said Ward approached Graves with a firearm outside the home of Graves’ mother. After a brief exchange, Graves retreated indoors, where Ward followed him and fatally shot him. The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation.
Court officials said Ward originally faced the possibility of life in prison. Instead, he agreed to a negotiated 50-year prison sentence for Second Degree Murder and related charges, including Armed Burglary. Ward also received additional penalties for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and for battery involving a victim aged 65 or older.
Family members of the victim, including Graves’ mother and daughter, spoke during the sentencing hearing about their loss. Assistant State Attorney William Greiner, the lead prosecutor, said the incident shows “how allowing anger to get the best of us” can lead to irreversible consequences for families on both sides.
Ward will serve the remainder of his sentence in Florida State Prison.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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