Dental assistant killed in shooting

SARASOTA - For 10 years Dr. Dennis Corona worked side by side with William Holley.

The 33-year-old worked his way up from intern to head dental assistant.

"I looked upon him almost in a fatherly role so it's just a little bit tough," Corona said.

Office manager and friend Kim Viera said Holley had a giant smile and an even bigger heart.

"He was phenomenal. He could come in and light up a room in a matter of seconds," she explained. "Our patients absolutely loved him.  They trusted him.  He made them feel comfortable."

But that smile is now a memory after Holley was gunned down early Saturday morning. Sarasota police said he was driving on Cocoanut Avenue and 21st Street.

William witnessed someone being mugged by a group of men, and the group quickly turned on William firing several shots into his car, detectives said. He died just few blocks away.

The victim of the mugging escaped unharmed and called for help, detectives said.

Police found a gun in some bushes about a block away from the shooting. A makeshift memorial now marks the spot where Holley took his last breath.

For those who knew and worked with Holley there is an empty silence at the dental office, knowing a young life, with so much potential was cut short.

"Nobody deserves to die like that I want to believe Will was being the kind hearted person that tried to help someone in the end that was his demise," Viera said.

Investigators have interviewed several people who may have information about the shooting, but so far no one has been arrested or named as suspect.