Possible suspect in Palmetto slaying in custody

MANATEE - Authorities have taken a man into custody on a robbery warrant and detectives are looking into whether he is involved in the fatal home invasion shooting of a man this morning.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Antwon Stuckey, 20, on the warrant in a house on 21st Street East, in Palmetto, across the street from the Highland Apartments, where detectives say 21-year-old Julius Brown was shot this morning.

After the shooting, witnesses identified Stuckey as the possible shooter, but he has not been charged with Brown’s shooting, sheriff’s spokesman Dave Bristow said.

“We have received information about him with regard to the shooting that we are looking into,” said Bristow.

Brown, a former athlete at Palmetto High School, was killed in his residence in the Highland Apartments, in the 600 block of 20th Lane East, about 7:10 a.m., according to a news release.

A witness in the apartment told detectives that an unidentified suspect entered the residence through an unlocked door and shot Brown.

"At this time, it does not appear that this was a random act," the release states.

Brown was arrested July 31 after a police chase on Interstate 75 through Charlotte and Sarasota counties. He was arrested then on charges of fleeing to elude, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash and resisting arrest.

He was released from the Sarasota County jail on Aug. 2, after posting a $11,500 bond.

Jail records show his occupation at the time was as a grave digger.

Court records show he was slated to be arraigned on the criminal traffic-related charges at 9 a.m. Friday.

Brown's death is the 27th homicide investigated in Manatee County this year.

Anyone with information on Brown's slaying can contact Crime Stoppers at (866) 634-TIPS or the sheriff's office at (941) 747-3011, ext. 2260.

This story was originally published September 17, 2009 at 9:50 AM with the headline "Possible suspect in Palmetto slaying in custody."