BRADENTON, Fla. — Authorities in Manatee County are currently investigating a violent spree that led to the deaths of three women in separate incidents across Bradenton and Palmetto, followed by a fatal shootout involving the suspected gunman and law enforcement officers in North Florida.
Late Monday night, 28-year-old Javontee Brice allegedly executed a series of fatal shootings that claimed the lives of his mother, a cousin, and the partner of an ex-girlfriend. According to Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells, the tragic events unfolded rapidly, starting at the Palmetto Trace Apartments. Brice reportedly confronted his sister and ex-girlfriend at the location. Wells recounted during a press briefing on Tuesday that Brice menacingly told his ex-girlfriend, “I have to kill you.” Fortunately, his sister managed to dissuade him from committing violence at that moment.
Despite the initial intervention, the situation escalated quickly. Sheriff Wells described how Brice then traveled to a Motel 6 in Bradenton, where his mother was staying with her boyfriend and two children. Upon arriving, he fatally shot his 48-year-old mother. Witnesses at the scene informed the deputies that Brice apologized before firing the gun at his mother several times, executing the act in front of her boyfriend and the minors present.
Shortly thereafter, at around 9:40 p.m., deputies responded to another shooting scene on the 900 block of 26th Street Court East in Palmeto. Here, a 29-year-old woman was shot inside her SUV. Despite efforts by law enforcement to save her, she succumbed to her injuries about an hour later. This victim was identified as Brice’s cousin, who had been attending a family gathering prior to the incident.
Sheriff Wells detailed that after the two shootings, Brice allegedly took to social media to post cryptic messages about his actions. Posts that appeared to be from Brice’s account included chilling messages to an unidentified woman, seemingly indicating a sense of fatal resolve.
The violent spree prompted a statewide alert for Brice’s vehicle as he was believed to be heading towards Georgia with intentions of targeting another ex-girlfriend. However, his run ended in Hamilton County, North Florida, around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday when deputies attempted to pull him over. Brice reportedly exited his vehicle and began shooting at the deputies, prompting them to return fire, fatally wounding him.
Sheriff Wells confirmed that a woman accompanying Brice during the incidents was detained for questioning, though her relation to him and the extent of her involvement remained unclear.
As the community reels from this tragedy, authorities are meticulously parsing through Brice’s prior interactions and social media activity to determine a motive, though Wells admitted it may remain elusive. The sheriff emphasized the devastating impact on the family and mentioned ongoing investigations to ascertain whether any prior incidents involving Brice could provide insights into his motivations.
This critical incident highlights not only the destructive impact of domestic violence but also the broader societal challenges in addressing mental health and crisis intervention. As families mourn and the community seeks answers, law enforcement officials continue their diligent work, unraveling the full scope and reasoning behind a night that shook the community.