"machine-gun fire",James Cooper, 25, and James Kouzaris, 24, both from England, were found dead by police in Sarasota

James Cooper, 25, and James Kouzaris, 24, both from England, were found dead by police in Sarasota, in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with both murders. Police said he was known to them and had previously been arrested.
The pair were on holiday with one of the men's extended family, according to British consular officials and a city police spokesman. They were staying 12 miles away on the island city of Longboat Key. The men were found outside a government-assisted housing block in the north of the city, which is on the west coast of the state.
Police received a 911 call at about 3am on Saturday. The caller, a local resident, said that a person was lying on the ground covered in blood.
Officers who were sent to investigate also found the second man on the other side of the road, also bleeding. Both were declared dead at the scene.

Local media said that police had marked about 20 shell casings on the street and were continuing to collect evidence six hours after the shooting.
Residents told reporters that they heard what sounded like "machine-gun fire".
Captain Paul Sutton, of the Sarasota police, said no motive for the killings had yet been established.
"We're trying to work out why they were in this area," he told The Daily Telegraph. "It's a residential area and not somewhere that would normally attract outsiders".
Captain Sutton said the men were not carrying weapons, drugs or an unusual amount of money.
A spokesman for the British consulate in Miami said: "British consular officials can confirm that two British nationals were killed in Sarasota, Florida, on April 16. Next of kin have been notified.The body of one of the victims was found on the pavement surrounded by up to 20 shell casings.

While checking the area police came across the second victim.

Police in Sarasota said neither of the men were in possession of drugs, but would not say whether they had cash or weapons.

A police spokesman said: 'This is an area where not many tourists venture. We are still trying to ascertain why they were there.'

Both victims were white,' said Sarasota Police Captain Paul Sutton.

The men were found riddled with bullets in front of public housing in North Sarasota.

Their bodies were discovered at 3.20am. One theory is that they were victims of a botched street robbery.

A local resident called 911 after reporting hearing gunshots and seeing a man covered in blood.

The bodies of both men were found within a short distance of each other.

Forensic teams spent over six hours looking over the area and placed markers for at least 20 shell casings.

A spokesman for the British consulate in Miami said: 'British consular officials can confirm that two British nationals were killed in Sarasota, Florida, on April 16. Next of kin have been notified.

'Officials from the consulate in Orlando are providing assistance. The two male victims were on holiday in Florida with other family and friends,' the spokesman said.

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