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Manatee County officials arrest person of interest in overnight fatal shooting


BRADENTON – The Bradenton Police Department and Manatee County Homicide Task Force are investigating a homicide in the 700 block of 11th Avenue E., Bradenton. Officers were dispatched to a shooting in the area shortly before 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 14, 2023, and found a 31-year-old man with two gunshot wounds. EMS transported the man to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Bruce Brooks, 35, has been interviewed by Bradenton Police detectives and the Manatee County Homicide Task Force regarding the shooting.

According to Brooks, and multiple witnesses on the scene, shortly before 3:30 a.m., the 31-year-old victim was involved in a domestic argument outside his home, which escalated into the victim yelling at neighbors. The victim then armed himself with a machete, entered a neighboring yard, and approached Brooks, who was sleeping in the home’s carport.

Brooks woke up, saw the victim coming with the machete, and shot the victim with a handgun in self-defense. Brooks, who has a prior felony conviction, left the scene but later contacted the Homicide Task Force.

Brooks has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

We are not releasing the victim’s name due to Marsy’s Law protection.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this case can contact Detective Jeff Beckley at [email protected] or Detective Todd Freed at [email protected]. You can also call BPD at 941-932-9300.

To remain anonymous and eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000, call Crime Stoppers (toll-free) at 1-866-634-8477 (TIPS) or send an anonymous E-Tip through manateecrimestoppers.com.


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