BRADENTON -- Local law enforcement is investigating as a homicide the death of a 20-year-old man in Bradenton, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
About 2:50 a.m. Wednesday, Bradenton police officers found Damen Gilbert dead in the playground area at Citrus Meadow Apartments, 1525 21st St. E., Bradenton.
"There was trauma to the body, and the case is being treated as a homicide," a news release states.
The apartment complex is in the city of Bradenton, but the case is being handled by the newly formed Manatee Homicide Investigative Unit made up of detectives from the sheriff's office, Bradenton Police Department and other local agencies.
Anyone with information about Gilbert's death -- the second homicide in Manatee County in 2013 -- can call the sheriff's office at 941-747-3011, ext 2224, or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.
