Bradenton man killed at a hangout locals call ‘The Hole.’ Police release few details
Bradenton police offered few details as they investigate the death of a 64-year-old man who was shot to death in east Bradenton Thursday night.
At about 8:45 p.m., police received several reports of shots being fired in the 700 block of 17th Street East, the department announced Friday morning. When officers arrived, they found the victim dead.
Police have not identified the victim but locals identified him as Tony Martin.
The lot — located behind Manatee Elementary School — is filed with mounds of dirt, littered with beer bottles but has chairs and a card table int he corner. Locals call it “The Hole” and some gather there in the evenings to play cards.
Some residents drove by Friday when they heard the news.
“It’s a goddamn shame,” said one woman, who asked not to be named.
A lifelong resident, she said, she had known Martin for 30 to 40 years.
“They should have blocked this,” she added referring to the lot. “I bet they will now.”
Bradenton detectives are working several leads, police said, but declined to release further information.
Anyone with any information on this case can call the Bradenton Police Department at 941-932-9300 or email that information to BPDTips@BradentonPD.com.
Or to remain anonymous and eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000, tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling 866-634-8477 (TIPS) or online at manateecrimestoppers.com.
This story was originally published October 21, 2022 at 10:20 AM.
