Suspect in slaying at Bradenton bar remains at large

The suspected shooter in the shooting that left Jarvis R. Isom Jr. dead as a Bradenton bar was closing early Friday remains at large.

At about 2 a.m. Friday, Isom was shot during an altercation just outside the entrance way to the Spot on 26th, 4307 26th St. W., Bradenton. Deputies and paramedics were called to the bar and Isom was taken to a local hospital where he later died.

Later that day, the Manatee Homicide Investigative Unit identified Demetrius Gabriel as the suspect and obtained an arrest warrant charging him with murder.

As of Monday, Gabriel remains at large.

It is uncertain if Gabriel fled or is still in the area, according to sheriff’s office spokesman Randy Warren.

“There is still no clear motive,” Warren added. “We know that it is not random. Gabriel was targeting someone.”

Gabriel fired at least two shots, one which struck the victim, causing him to collapse back inside the bar’s entrance way, according to the sheriff’s office.

The bar’s video surveillance system captured the suspected shooter, and on Friday afternoon the sheriff’s office released an image taken from that video. The man, who appears to be holding a gun while walking hastily, was identified as Gabriel, according to officials.

The suspect and the victim were both well-known to law enforcement.

The sheriff’s office is frequently called to Spot on 26th. During the past three years, there were 439 calls of service to the nightclub, according to Warren. Most of the calls have been the result of noise complaints. There have also been issues with neighboring businesses because of limited parking.

Anyone with information on Gabriel’s whereabouts or about the case can call the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011 ext. 2519 or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-8477(TIPS).

This story was originally published December 18, 2017 at 4:24 PM with the headline "Suspect in slaying at Bradenton bar remains at large."