Triple Homicide
Florida Man Kills Mother and Two Other Women Before Dying in Gunfight
He was later intercepted and fatally shot by law enforcement in Hamilton County
BRADENTON, Fla. — A harrowing sequence of events unfolded in Florida late Monday night, culminating in the deaths of three women and the suspect, who was killed in a shootout with deputies. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Javontee Brice, embarked on a violent spree that spanned multiple locations in Manatee County before he was intercepted and fatally shot by law enforcement in Hamilton County, approximately 240 miles away.
The tragic series of events began around 9:15 p.m. at a Motel 6 located at 660 67th Street Circle East in Bradenton. Deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office responded to a distress call and discovered a 48-year-old woman, later identified as Brice's mother, dead from a gunshot wound. Witnesses at the scene reported that Brice had arrived at the motel and shot his mother for reasons that remain unclear.
Shortly thereafter, at approximately 9:40 p.m., another shooting was reported in the 900 block of 26th Street Court East in Palmetto. Deputies arrived to find a 29-year-old woman inside a parked car, suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts by Palmetto Police, the woman succumbed to her injuries about an hour later. Witnesses again identified Brice as the shooter.
The violence continued as deputies received information about a third shooting that occurred shortly after 10 p.m. in Bradenton at 4800 55th Street West. Brice had reportedly shot another woman before fleeing the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
In response to the escalating situation, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office issued a statewide "Be On the Lookout" (BOLO) alert for Brice's vehicle. Multiple law enforcement agencies collaborated in the search, ultimately tracking Brice to Hamilton County, near the Georgia state line.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office intercepted Brice. According to Sheriff Rick Wells, Brice opened fire on the deputies as he exited his vehicle, prompting them to return fire. Brice was fatally shot during the exchange. Fortunately, none of the deputies were injured in the gunfight.
Sheriff Wells expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and acknowledged the senseless nature of the violence. "We don't know what set him off. We don't know why he chose to kill his loved ones. We may never know," Wells stated. The names of the victims have not been released pending notification of next of kin.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will conduct an investigation into the deputies' actions in Hamilton County, as is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is also continuing its investigation into the triple homicide.
This tragic incident is part of a disturbing trend of gun violence that has plagued various states over the first weekend of summer. The community is left grappling with the shock and grief of losing three women in such a brutal manner.
Authorities revealed that Brice had been en route to Georgia with the intention of confronting an ex-girlfriend, potentially preventing further violence by intercepting him. The motive behind Brice's actions remains unclear, and investigators are working to piece together the events leading up to the shootings.
As the investigation continues, the community is urged to come together in support of the victims' families and to remain vigilant. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has asked anyone with information related to the case to come forward.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence and the importance of addressing the underlying issues that lead to such tragedies. The community mourns the loss of three lives and hopes for answers that may bring some measure of closure to the grieving families.