Suspect in deadly Bradenton home invasion nicknamed ‘Murder’ is suspect in 2011 homicide

The suspect in a recent deadly home invasion in Bradenton nicknamed "Murder" has also been identified as suspect in a 2011 deadly home invasion.

Courtney Lawrence, 27, was formally charged by the State Attorney’s Office Friday with second-degree murder with a firearm in the May 4 home invasion in Bradenton that turned into a shootout and left his fellow suspect Emanuel Johnson shot dead.

On Thursday, Lawrence also was charged with the additional charges of attempted felony murder, armed burglary and possession of firearm by the sheriff’s office stemming from the same incident. Lawrence refused to appear before a judge Friday morning for a first appearance hearing for the new charges.

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

Lawrence, whose alias is "Murder," is also a suspect in the 2011 fatal shooting of 26-year-old James Earl Collins, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office revealed on Friday.

At about 3:30 a.m. Sept. 8, 2011, Collins and his sister had come home from the Hall nightclub in Palmetto to her apartment in the 2500 block 3rd Street East in Bradenton, according to police reports. As they were approaching the door, they were confronted by the suspects.

Collins and his sister were forced into the home, robbed of cash and then as the suspects were leaving, they shot Collins multiple times. Collins was still alive when deputies arrived but was pronounced dead shortly after the arrival of paramedics.

“There are similarities between the two incidents,” sheriff’s office spokesman Dave Bristow said.

Detectives with the Home Investigative Unit made the connection and are working to develop the case. They believe there were three suspects — including Lawrence — in the 2011 death of the Collins.

“We are hoping to get a little more additional information to push that case over the edge and to identify other suspects,” Bristow added.

At 10:26 p.m. May 4, 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 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.

Lawrence was also injured during the shootout and ended up at a local hospital. Detectives were able to determine he had been involved.

Anyone with information on either case can call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at 941-747-3011, ext. 2519, or to remain anonymous and eligible for a cash reward call Crimestoppers at 866-634-TIPS or submit an e-tip online at manateecrimestoppers.com.

This story was originally published May 29, 2016 at 11:50 PM with the headline "Suspect in deadly Bradenton home invasion nicknamed ‘Murder’ is suspect in 2011 homicide."