Man arrested in killing on Bradenton lawn. Inside the house, cops say they found drugs
An 18-year-old man has been charged with murder after a man was found shot to death on the front lawn of a house in Bradenton early Monday. In the house, police said they found a “large quantity” of illegal and prescription drugs.
Ande Ebalan, who lived in the house, said he shot Ryan Booth, 21, in self-defense at about 5:50 a.m., after Booth became violent and attacked him, Bradenton police said in a news release.
Booth and a second man, Kaleb Sutherland, 18, had gone to Ebalan’s house in the 2800 block of Southern Park to buy drugs, police said.
Sutherland has been charged with second-degree murder, and Ebalan has been charged with possession of narcotics with intent to distribute, according to the news release.
Police found Sutherland in the vicinity of the home, and his statements supported Ebalan’s version of events, police said.
A search warrant was executed at Ebalan’s residence, and a “large quantity” of illegal and prescription narcotics were found inside, police say.
The multi-agency Manatee Homicide Investigative Unit is in charge of the investigation.
For several hours Monday, a two-block portion of Southern Parkway remained shut down in both directions as police investigated the scene.
Neighbors across the street said they heard several gunshots.
According to Gladius Matute, her brother heard the gunshots when he got up early Monday morning to use the restroom. She didn’t recognize the car that was next to the victim’s body. She said the people living in the home were new to the neighborhood.
Anyone with any information about the shooting can call Bradenton police detective Andy Perez at 941-932-9322. Tips can also be emailed to crimetips@cityofbradenton.com. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000, information can be called in to Manatee Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-8477 (TIPS) or sent anonymously online at manateecrimestoppers.com
This story was originally published February 24, 2020 at 9:16 AM.
