Search continues for murder suspect detectives say killed Bradenton man in front of son

BRADENTON -- Detectives continue to search for the suspect they say shot and killed a Bradenton man while his 1-year-old son stood nearby.

Kelly McPherson, 22, is facing one charge of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Keyvis McCullough, according to the Bradenton Police Department. McPherson is considered armed and dangerous, police said.

At 1:14 p.m. Saturday, Bradenton police received a 911 call from an unknown caller reporting that a man had been shot in the 700 block of 12th Avenue West, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Police arrived at the scene and found McCullough with gunshot wounds.

McCullough was taken to Blake Medical Center, where he died as a result of his injuries, according to Braden

ton homicide detective Jim Curulla.

Curulla interviewed the victim's sister, who said she was standing about 20 feet away from her brother, along with her brother's son and the baby's mother, when he was shot, according to an affidavit. The shooter, known to her as "Kelly B," walked up to him and shot him three times at close range.

The victim's sister also told the detective that "Kelly B" was new to the neighborhood but that she had an hour-long conversation with him a couple weeks prior. She told the detective where McPherson was staying with family in the 1000 block of Eighth Street West.

A Department of Corrections photo of McPherson was shown to the sister and she identified him as the shooter.

Shortly after, Manatee County Sheriff's Office homicide detective Jeff Bliss spoke with McPherson's mother at her home, the address they had been given by the victim's sister, the affidavit states. The mother confirmed McPherson was her son, but said she had no idea where he was living or why he was using her address for his probation address.

McPherson's mother gave investigators permission to search her home, but her son was not found. The Bradenton Police SWAT team was also called out to the home.

At the time of the slaying, McPherson was on probation for a burglary in Sarasota County, according to Department of Corrections records.

"Because the defendant is on probation for a burglary of a dwelling he is a 'violent felony offender of special concern' according to state statute," Curulla wrote. As a result, when he is arrested, McPherson should be held without bond, he added.

Anyone with information can call Curulla at 941-747-3011, Ext. 2224, or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-8477 (TIPS), or send an anonymous e-tip to manateecrimestoppers.com.

This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Search continues for murder suspect detectives say killed Bradenton man in front of son ."