Authorities release names of victims in deadly shooting at Bradenton nightclub

A shooting at a Bradenton nightclub early Sunday morning left one person dead and two others injured, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 2 a.m., deputies responded to gunshots at Touch of Class Lounge, 5131 14th St. W., the agency said in a news release.

They found a 30-year-old man lying in the parking lot with a gunshot wound and “surrounded by hundreds of patrons,” the news release said. On Monday, the sheriff’s office identified the man as Marcese Smith.

Emergency medical responders attempted to revive him, but he died in the parking lot, according to the sheriff’s office.

Another man and a woman had also been shot and were taken to the hospital.

On Monday, the other shooting victims were identified as Kaya Brooks, 26, and Shalonda Taylor, 23. Brooks and Taylor were still recovering from gunshot wounds, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies looking for shooter

The sheriff’s office had not made any arrests in the shooting as of Sunday morning.

“It appears an argument between a group of people inside the club continued into the parking lot, where multiple gunshots were fired,” the news release said.

The sheriff’s office said detectives gathered evidence and witness statements at the nightclub that helped identify several “people of interest.”

A homicide investigation was still underway, the agency said.

The agency said that the Gold Star Club of Manatee County is now offering a $5,000 reward for info that leads to an arrest in the shooting.

Tips can be reported to the sheriff’s office at 941-747-3011, or anonymously to Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-8477 or ManateeCrimeStoppers.com.

This story was originally published July 7, 2024 at 11:07 AM.