2 die in Bradenton shootings

MANATEE -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office was investigating the possibly connected shooting deaths of a 16-year-old boy and 23-year-old man.

Detectives were not commenting on a possible motive, except to say that Calvin Barnes, 16, and Demetrius Cunningham, 23, knew each other and that they believe the shootings were connected.

Authorities found Cunningham with a gunshot wound to the head about 10:20 p.m. in the parking lot of the Mira Lagos apartment complex, in the 300 block of 34th Avenue. near DeSoto Square mall. Witnesses told investigators they heard yelling, then three gunshots. A man wearing a white T-shirt and red hat was seen leaving the area, according to the sheriff's office.

Cunningham was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, where he died this afternoon.

About 45 minutes after Cunningham was shot, authorities found Barnes lying on the edge of the street in the 3800 block of 26th Avenue East, Bradenton, with a gunshot wound. He was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg where he was pronounced dead, according to a news release.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information on the shootings can call the sheriff’s office at (941) 747-3011, ext. 2493, or Crime Stoppers at (866) 634-TIPS.

This story was originally published October 26, 2010 at 11:06 PM with the headline "2 die in Bradenton shootings."