Officials offer $15,000 reward for information on Bradenton triple murder suspect

MANATEE -- The Gold Star Club of Manatee is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for the arrest of Andres “Andy” Avalos.

Avalos, 33, is wanted in connection with the slayings Thursday of his wife Amber Avalos, 33. neighbor Denise Potter, 46 and James "Tripp" Battle, 31, lead pastor at Bayshore Baptist Church in Bradenton.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Avalos can call Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS or the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at 941-747-3011, ext. 2159.

For more information on the Gold Star Club, go to www.goldstarclub.com.

Earlier Friday, deputies said they found Andres Avalos' gold Suburban at the Walmart Supercenter at 6225 State Road 64 E. about 9 p.m. Thursday. The suspect has still not been located, deputies said.

"We sat on it last night hoping he'd come back for it," said Dave Bristow, spokesman for the sheriff's office. "But he didn't."

The pastor was shot to death at the church. The women were found slain at the Avalos home in Northwest Bradenton.

This story was originally published December 5, 2014 at 8:35 AM with the headline "Officials offer $15,000 reward for information on Bradenton triple murder suspect."