Manatee County Sheriff's Office still searching for 'armed and dangerous' murder suspect

Manatee County Sheriff's Office still searching for 'armed and dangerous' murder suspect

MANATEE -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is asking for public assistance as it looks for a man suspected in one of two fatal shootings last week.

At 11:45 a.m. Saturday, 27-year-old Kevin McCants was called to a car in the 1000 block of 33rd Avenue East in Bradenton and shot to death.

Several witnesses identified Robert Eugene Brewer, 20, as the shooter, according to authorities. Three other men were believed to be in the black Toyota Camry with Brewer and all drove off after killing McCants.

Within hours of the shooting, detectives had a warrant charging Brewer with second-degree murder but an arrest has been elusive.

"We are still looking for Brewer," spokesman Randy Warren said.

Brewer, considered armed and dangerous, is believed to still be in the area, authorities say.

People are encouraged to call Ben Main, lead homicide detective on the case, at 941-747-3011, ext. 2161.

Just three days before McCants was killed, detectives investigated another fatal shooting in East Bradenton.

Deputies responding Dec. 16 to the 1000 block of 61st Avenue Drive East found Kenye Cooper Sr., 26, shot to death in a sport utility vehicle three houses away from where a shootout involving four men occurred.

Napolean Hale, 37, one of two residents reportedly involved in the shooting, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was released Thursday from Manatee County jail after posting $7,500 bond.

On Friday, Hale was charged with murder, according to the sheriff's office.

Cooper's accomplice, Fredrick Dinel Smith, 24, got away Wednesday night, according to the sheriff's office. He was caught Thursday morning in Sarasota and charged with second-degree murder.

Hale is being held without bond at the Manatee County jail.

Smith was transferred Monday to the Manatee County jail from Sarasota and is being held on a $250,000 bond.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 7:42 PM with the headline "Manatee County Sheriff's Office still searching for 'armed and dangerous' murder suspect ."