Family of slaying victims to speak at noon Saturday

MANATEE — The family of Andres “Andy” Avalos, wanted in Thursday’s triple homicide, will speak at noon Saturday urging him to turn himself in to authorities, the Manatee Sheriff’s Office said Saturday.

Sheriff Brad Steube will be present at the press conference at Sheriff’s Office at 600 301 Blvd. W. in Bradenton.

Avalos, 33, is a suspect in the slayings of his wife Amber Avavlos, 33, their neighbor, Denise Potter, 46, and the Rev. James “Tripp” Battle, 31, who were all killed Thursday.

Battle, lead pastor at Bayshore Baptist Church in Bradenton, was shot to death at the church early Thursday afternoon.

Following information given to them at the scene, investigators went to the Avalos home in Northwest Bradenton and found the two women slain there.

The cause of death was confirmed by a preliminary autopsy report from the medical examiner’s office, but the sheriff’s office will not release that information until Avalos is arrested, spokesman Dave Bristow said Saturday.

Avavlos is considered armed and dangerous, according to the sheriff’s office. Avalos’ troubled past as indicated by his arrest record shows he has been arrested at least five times for driving under the influence in Hillsborough County, and once in Pinellas County for violation of probation.

The Gold Star Club of Manatee (www.goldstarclub.com) is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for the arrest of Avalos.

Anyone with information on Avalos' whereabouts should call 911, or call Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.

This story was originally published December 6, 2014 at 10:41 AM with the headline "Family of slaying victims to speak at noon Saturday."