Search Underway For Suspect After Bradenton Double Shooting

BRADENTON, FL -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is searching
for a man called "Scooter" who is believed to have opened fire on two people early Monday morning outside the Spot 26 bar.

The shooting apparently stemmed from an argument inside the bar at 4307 26th Street West around 2:43 a.m., according to the sheriff's office, which said that words were exchanged between the victims and shooter.

"Once the club closed, and patrons were outside, a fist fight broke out between [one of the victims] and the suspect," the sheriff's office explained, adding that the other victim attempted to intervene "when the suspect pulled out a gun and shot both victims."

Meanwhile, Bradenton police confirmed later on Monday morning that they were on the scene of another shooting. It was not immediately clear if that shooting was related to the shooting outside the bar.

"We are working a shooting with a victim with a leg injury," said Capt. Brian Thiers of the Bradenton Police Department, who told Patch that it was too early to know if the shootings were related.

One of the male victims in the earlier shooting was described as 39 years of age while the other was 30.

The sheriff's office said the suspected shooter in the first case is believed to be possibly 23 years of age, 6 feet tall and stocky.

"The suspect fled the scene by unknown means and direction," said the sheriff's office.

The 30-year-old victim ran down 43rd Avenue West toward a Waffle House where a bystander drove him to a hospital.

The 39-year-old shooting victim ran along the north side of the building and then south where he collapsed by the back door of the bar. He was treated at the scene by first responders and taken to a local hospital.

"Both victims are alive," said the sheriff's office of the earlier shooting.

To report a tip, call the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS