Man found shot to death in car in Bradenton

A man was found shot to death after a car he was driving crashed into a ditch in Bradenton late Saturday, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Just after 9 p.m., witnesses called 911 and reported hearing several gunshots and then seeing a car crash into a ditch in the 2600 block of 17th Street East. Deputies arrived to find a man dead in the driver’s seat, spokesman Randy Warren said.

Witnesses also told deputies they saw a second man, wearing a white shirt, get out of the passenger’s side of the car and run away. Deputies searched the area but did not find the possible suspect, according to the sheriff’s office.

As of late Sunday morning, the sheriff’s office had not yet released the name of the victim. Warren said he was awaiting confirmation that man’s family was notified.

Cleveland Davis was home listening to music on his computer when he heard the crash, he recalled on Sunday morning. He thought his wife may have dropped something in their garage but as he was going to check on her, she began to shout about the car that had crashed into the ditch in front of their home.

Davis went outside and approached the car. He got close enough to see that the car had hit a water main in front of his home and water was shooting up.

This is the second homicide in less than a week in Manatee County.

Sherifff’s detectives are also investigating the death of Antonio Maurice Bradley, 35, who was killed, dumped alongside a road near Myakka City and set on fire. The sheriff’s office has not made any arrests in this case or identified any suspect

Anyone with information on either case can call the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011 or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward can call Crime Stoppers at 866-634-8477(TIPS) or submit a tip online at manateecrimestoppers.com.

This story was originally published November 18, 2018 at 5:42 AM.