Cops: Man shot during home invasion in Bayshore Gardens

MANATEE - A 31-year-old man was shot and critically wounded during an apparent home invasion burglary early this morning, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The victim was shot shortly before 1 a.m. after he confronted one of three men who entered his home in the 6400 block of Georgia Avenue, which is in the Bayshore Gardens area. As he struggled with the intruder, another suspect struck him in the head with something hard, and then he was shot at least twice, according to a sheriff's office news release.

Another suspect went to a bedroom and struck a 21-year-old woman who was sleeping when she was hit with something hard. She fell to the floor, and the suspects fled without taking anything, according to the sheriff's office.

A 4-year-old child also in the house was not injured.

The male victim was flown by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg and was listed in critical condition. The female victim was taken to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton with a minor injury to her forehead.

The suspects, who the sheriff's office said entered the house through a back sliding glass door, were described as wearing black clothing and masks.

Sheriff's office spokesman Dave Bristow said there is no connection between this break-in and a recent string of home invasion robberies and assaults in Manatee and Sarasota counties.