Manatee double homicide victims identified

The victims of a July 3 double homicide were identified Sunday night as Irwin Figuero, 19, and Rubin Gonzalez Garduno, 18, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Witnesses told detectives the two were walking west in the1100 block of 59th Avenue Drive East when they were approached from behind by a person or people in a vehicle described as possibly a blue Mercury Grand Marquis, a sheriff’s report said. As it came alongside the two men, shots were fired and both men went down, it said.

At about 9 p.m. Friday, a citizen called 911 after she heard several gunshots. When deputies arrived, they found two men lying in the road, the report said. One died at the scene, and the other was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, it said.

Detectives continue to investigate what they believe was a gang-related crime, the report said. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (941) 747-3011 or call Crime Stoppers, at 866-634-TIPS.