Drug deal robbery in Manatee leaves 17-year-old dead. Four suspects arrested, cops say
A 17-year-old boy is dead after a drug deal gone wrong, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies are investigating a deadly shooting and robbery attempt that occurred late Sunday night. According to a release, two victims planned to sell edible medical marijuana when four suspects fired shots at them.
When investigators arrived at Verna Bethany Road and State Road 64 East around 11:49 p.m., they found the 17-year-old victim deceased and a 14-year-old victim with “obvious gunshot wounds,” according to a release. The 14-year-old boy was flown to a local hospital and is expected to survive the shooting.
The victim’s families have chosen to invoke Marsy’s Law, preventing the public release of their names.
The sheriff’s office says it believes four suspects were involved in the Sunday night shooting. The victims agreed to sell the marijuana edibles to the four suspects, but the suspects attempted a robbery, firing multiple shots at the victims.
Deputies said Monday afternoon that they have arrested all four suspects. David Guillermo Consuegra, Jr., 21; Hugo Maldonado, also 21; a 17-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy each face a charge of felony murder. The Bradenton Herald is not naming the two youngest suspects because they are juveniles.
Anyone with information about the Sunday night shooting is asked to contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.
This story was originally published November 30, 2020 at 10:15 AM.
