Police: Bradenton man charged with shooting at live-in girlfriend

BRADENTON -- A Bradenton man was charged with firing a handgun into the air and at his live-in girlfriend, according to the Bradenton Police Department.

Tavaris Antonio Johnson, 27, was arrested at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the 1000 block of 25th Street East, Palmetto. Earlier at 7:02 a.m., Bradenton police responded to a home in the 1800 block of Seventh Avenue East, Bradenton, for a report of shots fired with a possible victim.

"While officers were still en route it was reported to BPD dispatchers that a female may have been forced into a vehicle that fled the area," a release states.

Officers found shell casings in the road and in the driveway of the home. According to a release, witnesses said a female and Johnson were involved in a domestic dispute.

During the dispute, Johnson fired a handgun into the air and at his girlfriend, according to a report. Johnson also hit the victim in the head with the weapon, witnesses said.

Police said the pair fled and were later found in Palmetto. Johnson was arrested and taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital for medical clearance, according to a release. The victim declined medical treatment for her injuries. Both refused to assist detectives with the investigation, police said.

Johnson was charged with aggravated domestic assault, aggravated domestic battery, possession of firearm by convicted felon and discharging a firearm on a residential property.

Booking information for Johnson was not immediately available.

Anyone with information on this case can call Bradenton Police Officer Fredy Ordonez at 941-932-9327, or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000, call Crime Stoppers (toll free) at 1-866-634-8477 (TIPS) or send an anonymous E-Tip thru the web at www.manateecrimestoppers.com.

This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Police: Bradenton man charged with shooting at live-in girlfriend ."