MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida deputies shot and killed a man overnight who was wanted in the deaths of three women.
Javontee Brice, 28, died in an exchange of gunfire early Tuesday morning, according to a release from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Recommended Videos
Investigators said, before the shootings Monday night, Brice went to an apartment in Palmetto. The shooter’s sister and an ex-girlfriend were at the apartment and Brice said he planned to kill the ex. The sheriff said his sister managed to talk him down and he left.
The sheriff’s office said the string of murders started at a Motel 6, 660 67th St. Circle East, near Bradenton. His mother, her boyfriend and two young sisters were all at the motel.
“(Brice) walked into that hotel room, looked at the mother and said ‘I’m sorry,’ she asked, ‘What did you do?’ and he shoots her three times,” said Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells.
Deputies arrived around 9:15 p.m. and found his 48-year-old mother shot to death. Investigators said witnesses identified Brice as the shooter.
Deputies were then called to another shooting in the 900 block of 26th Street East in Palmetto around 9:40 p.m. There, Brice’s 29-year-old cousin was shot while getting into her SUV, according to the sheriff. Palmetto police tried to save her, but she did not make it. Again, witnesses identified Brice as the shooter.
Around 10 p.m., a third shooting was reported in Bradenton at 4800 55th St. West. Bradenton police said witnesses again identified Brice as the shooter. Investigators said the victim was the partner of another of Brice’s ex-girlfriends.
Around 1:30 a.m., Hamilton County deputies came into contact with Brice, who opened fire on them. The deputies returned fire, killing Brice, according to the release. No deputies were hurt in the shooting and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now investigating.
Investigators believe Brice was on his way to Georgia to kill another ex.
The sheriff said the motive for the shootings is not known. Investigators did not provide the names of the victims.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: