Police investigating after 43-year-old Bradenton woman fatally shot in her car
Police are investigating after someone fatally shot a 43-year-old Bradenton woman in her car near her home on Tuesday.
The shooting happened just after 7:30 p.m. in the 2100 block of 15th Ave. E., the Bradenton Police Department said.
Police announced Wednesday afternoon that the woman was identified as Yolanda Baxcajay-Flores, a wife and mother of four children.
The shooter or shooters fired more than 30 rounds, police said. At least one of the rounds struck Baxcajay-Flores, who was arriving home from grocery shopping in her car, according to a news release.
Detectives believe the Baxcajay-Flores was not the intended target of the shooting.
“We have no reason to believe she was the intended victim or had anything to do with who the suspects may have been shooting at, she just happened to be on her way home from the grocery store and was at the wrong place at the wrong time, unfortunately,” said BPD spokesperson Meredith Censullo.
Baxcajay-Flores was taken to the hospital but died overnight due to her injuries, police said.
Police: Bradenton shootings possibly linked
Police say the fatal shooting happened shortly after another nearby shooting that was possibly related. But they do not yet have evidence linking the two incidents.
The Bradenton Police Department said the first shooting, which resulted in no injuries, happened around 6 p.m. in the 2400 block of Eighth Ave. E. The shooter, who has not yet been identified, fired at least ten rounds, damaging homes and vehicles before fleeing, according to a news release.
Censullo said investigators believe the two shootings could be linked due to the “relatively close proximity” and both occurring “in a pretty quick time frame.” Censullo said further investigation is needed to determine if they are related.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Brian Sands at brian.sands@BradentonPD.com or (941)932-9312 or Det. Jeff Beckley at jeff.beckley@BradentonPD.com or (941) 932-9356.
Tips can be made anonymously to Crime Stoppers at manateecrimestoppers.com. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to an arrest.
This story was originally published November 13, 2024 at 1:02 PM.
