A teacher at Manatee School for the Arts was shot and killed Wednesday night at his home, according to the North Port Sheriff's Office.
W. Kenneth Ellis, 61, was shot in the upper torso after answering his doorbell at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, a news release stated. He was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital in North Port, where he was pronounced dead.
Witnesses reported seeing two men wearing dark clothing and masks fleeing from the scene. Neighbors spotted a dark-colored, four-door sedan leaving the area.
Nothing was said between Ellis and the suspects, Ellis' wife told investigators.
Ellis had been employed at the Palmetto charter school as a Tae Kwan Do instructor since 1998, according to the school website.
"The school has called in grief counselors and we are meeting with students individually and in groups as needed," the school's assistant principal, Terence Devine, wrote in a letter posted on the website Wednesday afternoon. "Manatee School For the Arts has lost an amazing teacher and person today. We grieve with Master Ellis’ family during this hard time."
