Suspect nicknamed 'Murder' charged in deadly home invasion in Bradenton

BRADENTON -- One suspect is facing charges for the home invasion turned shoot-out earlier this week after being released from the hospital where he was dropped off that night with multiple gunshot wounds.

Courtney Lawrence, 27, was charged late Friday with murder and booked into the Manatee County jail. He is being held without bond.

Armed home invasion and other charges are still pending against Lawrence, whose alias is "Murder."

At 10:26 p.m. Wednesday, four or five gunmen stormed the home of a 38-year-old man in the 700 block of 64th Avenue East in Bradenton and demanded money.

Detectives say the resident and suspects exchanged gunfire, injuring the resident and Emanuel Johnson, one of the suspects.

Within moments, the resident's wife arrived from a trip to 7-Eleven with two children to find her husband and Johnson lying on the ground at the entryway to the garage.

She was pointing a gun at Johnson when deputies arrived.

Johnson, 27, was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

"He was shot at the scene during the incident and he was dropped off at the hospital," Bristow said. "We learned that he was in the hospital and that he was possibly involved."

Lawrence, who has the word "murder" tattooed on his neck, is on probation for his most recent conviction. He was released from prison Aug. 26 after serving three years and three months for separate convictions of armed robbery with a deadly weapon and sale or delivery of a controlled substance. The armed robbery charge was initially charged as armed home invasion, but Courtney pleaded to the lesser offense.

Lawrence also served less than four years of a five-year sentence for two separate armed robbery convictions.

Lawrence's juvenile record includes conviction for burglary, grand theft of a motor vehicle, attempted burglary of a dwelling, burglary of a dwelling and grand theft.

Anyone with information about the home invasion and fatal shooting can call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at 941-747-3011, ext. 2519.

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

This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 11:34 PM with the headline "Suspect nicknamed 'Murder' charged in deadly home invasion in Bradenton."