A tragic series of events unfolded in Manatee County, Florida, on Monday night, resulting in the deaths of three women and ending with the suspect being killed in a shootout with deputies near the Florida-Georgia line. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Javontee Brice, was involved in multiple shootings before being apprehended.
On Tuesday morning, the Manatee County Sheriff provided details about the incidents in a press conference. The violence began at the Palmetto Trace Apartments just before 9 p.m., where Brice encountered his ex-girlfriend, his sister, and one of the mothers of his children. According to the sheriff, Brice threatened his ex-girlfriend by saying, “You have to kill you,” but his sister managed to calm him down, and he left without harming her. The ex-girlfriend later reported that Brice was behaving strangely.
At around 9:15 p.m., deputies responded to a shooting at the Motel 6 on 68th Street Circle East in Bradenton. They found a 48-year-old woman, Brice’s mother, dead from a gunshot wound. Witnesses reported that Brice arrived at the motel, apologized to his mother, and then shot her three times in front of his mother’s boyfriend and his two young sisters. The reason for this act remains unknown. Brice then fled the scene, possibly heading towards Georgia.
Shortly after, at around 9:40 p.m., another shooting occurred in the 900 block of 26th Street Court East in Palmetto. Brice’s cousin, a 29-year-old woman, was shot while sitting inside a parked SUV after attending a cookout. Despite efforts by Palmetto police officers to save her, she died about an hour later. Witnesses identified Brice as the shooter.
The violent spree continued around 10 p.m. at 4800 51st Street East in Bradenton. Brice targeted the home of another ex-girlfriend and her new partner. He shot the partner, an unidentified woman, who later died at the hospital.
Law enforcement agencies issued a statewide alert to locate Brice’s vehicle. Multiple agencies, including those from Hamilton County near the state line, joined the search. At around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Hamilton County deputies confronted Brice, who fired at them. Deputies returned fire, killing him.
Detectives later discovered that Brice was on his way to Georgia with plans to kill another ex-girlfriend. The Manatee County Sheriff noted, “He knew exactly who he wanted to kill.” The motive behind Brice’s actions remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing.
The sheriff acknowledged the devastating impact on the families involved, stating, “This family is devastated.” The authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding these tragic events.
