Bradenton murder suspect ordered held without bond

BRADENTON -- A 22-year-old man charged with gunning down another man in Bradenton was ordered held without bond Monday on a second-degree murder charge.

Bradenton police say Kelly McPherson fatally shot Keyvis McCullough at 1 p.m. Sept. 5 while McCullough's sister and 1-year-old son stood nearby in the 700 block of 12th Avenue West, Bradenton.

McPherson was arrested Sunday after a 2-week manhunt. He was found in an apartment near 10th Avenue West and Seventh Street West someone who had been at the apartment tipped off police. He was arrested about 3 p.m.

Prosecutors asked that McPherson be held without bond. Bradenton police homicide detective Jim Curulla testified that after McPherson was arrested, an anonymous source said McPherson had admitted to killing McCullough and that he "felt bad about it."

The sister of the victim also testified, saying she saw McPherson shoot her brother. She was sure of his identity because his face was not covered and she had an hour-long conversation with him a couple weeks prior to the shooting.

"I am 100 percent sure," she said.

"I could see him just as clearly as I see him now."

The public defender did not dispute McPherson's being held without bond, and Judge Susan Maulucci affirmed that he would not be granted bond.

Bradenton police have said the shooting may have resulted from an argument over a woman, but were unable to confirm anything after McPherson's arrest.

"He clammed up and didn't cooperate," said police Lt. James Racky.

Second-degree murder is the most-severe charge the state can file in Florida without convening a grand jury.

Kate Irby, Herald online/political reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7055. You can follow her on Twitter @KateIrby

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Bradenton murder suspect ordered held without bond ."