Manatee detectives make arrest in most recent homicide

MANATEE -- Detectives have made an arrest in the most recent of three homicides last week, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Oscar Cortez-Ruiz, 24, Palmetto, was found lying in a driveway in the 500 block of 60th Avenue East at 3:30 a.m. Sunday after being shot in his car, according to deputies. He had taken someone home from the El Paisano Restaurant and Bar at 5803 15th St. E. when another car drove up and an occupant got out and shot him. Cortez-Ruiz then got out of his car but collapsed in the driveway.

Cortez-Ruiz was taken to Blake Medical Center but later died from the gunshot wound.

Alfonso Cano-Cano, 34, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He is being held at Manatee County jail.

"Detectives learned that Cano-Cano recognized the victim at the bar and followed him to the shooting scene," according to the release. "Cano-Cano told detectives he shot the victim because of a fight between the two of them that occurred two years ago."

Surveillance video showed the suspect's vehicle was key in identifying him as a suspect. The investigation is ongoing and there could be more arrests for the fatal shooting, according to the report.

Cortez-Ruis was the third homicide in Manatee County last week and detectives are asking people to come forward with information on all three case.

"We're not done here," sheriff's office spokesman Dave Bristow said.

No suspects have been arrested in the first two killings last week.

In the first homicide, relatives told investigators three gunmen entered the home they shared with Fritho Exantus in the Avalon Square apartment complex, 3506 14th St. W., about 1 a.m. March 24 and killed Exantus.

Three other people in the apartment say the suspects covered their faces. One relative was injured in the attack and released from the hospital within hours of the shooting.

During the second homicide, deputies responded to a shooting about 6:15 a.m. Friday at a residence in the 100 block of 60th Avenue West, Bradenton, and found Tyrone Rhodes, 40, dead from an apparent gunshot wound.

Four other people inside the residence at the time of the shooting said they heard gunshots but didn't see a gunman, according to investigators.

The sheriff's office has said it doesn't believe any of the shootings were random.

Anyone with information should Manatee County Sheriff's Office homicide detective Jeff Bliss at 941-747-3011, ext. 2159, or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published April 1, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Manatee detectives make arrest in most recent homicide ."