MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. – A disturbing series of events unfolded in Manatee County, leading to the deaths of three women and, subsequently, the shooter himself, in what police describe as a violent rampage. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is currently piecing together the details after responding to multiple shooting incidents on Monday night.
The first shooting was reported at Motel 6 on 68th Street Circle East in Bradenton around 9:15 p.m., where deputies discovered a 48-year-old woman dead from a gunshot wound. Witnesses at the scene identified the gunman as 28-year-old Javontee Brice, who allegedly shot his own mother and then fled, possibly heading toward Georgia.
Approximately 25 minutes later, another shooting was reported in the 900 block of 26th Street Court East in Palmetto, where a 29-year-old woman was fatally shot while sitting inside a parked SUV. Despite efforts from Palmetto police officers to save her, the woman succumbed to her injuries an hour later. Once again, Brice was identified as the shooter by witnesses.
A third incident was reported shortly after 10 p.m. at 4800 55th Street in Bradenton, where Bradenton police officers were informed that Brice had shot another woman before fleeing the scene. The victim was rushed quickly to the hospital but later died.
In response to these shootings, the Manatee County deputies issued a statewide alert for Brice’s vehicle and coordinated with multiple law enforcement agencies to track him down. Brice was located in Hamilton County, near the Florida-Georgia state line.
Around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Hamilton County deputies engaged Brice after he fired shots at them. The confrontation ended with Brice being shot and killed by the deputies.
Further investigations revealed that Brice might have been traveling to Georgia with the intent to commit another homicide. This series of violent acts has left the community in shock, with law enforcement continuing their investigation into the motives behind these tragic events.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has extended their condolences to the victims’ families and is working diligently to provide them with support during this incredibly difficult time.