PALMETTO, FL – A man was recently found dead inside of the trunk of a car. His body with discovered with multiple gunshot wounds at Palmetto Estuary Nature Preserve early on Sunday morning, according to reports from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. The victim was later identified as 32-year-old Manuel Escobar.
Investigators believe the man was shot in Bradenton before his body was abandoned in a car at the nature preserve in Palmetto. Officers found the body while conducting a patrol around 2 a.m. at the nature preserve located at 101 U.S. 41.
The authorities developed enough evidence to arrest 25-year-old Freddy Sandoval in relation to the deadly shooting. A warrant was issued for the arrest of 20-year-old Idus Murkerson on charges of second-degree murder. The Florida Highway Patrol was finally able to arrest Murkerson in Santa Rosa County on Monday morning.
According to the sheriff’s office, a dispute over money was what ultimately led to the fatal gunfire. The authorities believe Escobar, Murkerson, and Sandoval had argued over a monetary transaction that took place on Saturday, which eventually resulted in Murkerson shooting Escobar.
The authorities are treating the incident as isolated and have not identified any additional threat to the public.