Reward Rises In Bradenton Murder Case

BRADENTON, FL — As the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office continues its search for the person responsible for shooting and killing Alexander Cherp at a Lakewood Ranch park earlier this month, the reward for information that leads to an arrest has climbed to $8,000.

The sheriff’s office announced Wednesday that the Goldstar Club of Manatee County had stepped forward with a reward of $5,000. That is on top of the $3,000 already being offered by Crime Stoppers, the sheriff’s office said.

Cherp, 23, was found suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot Lakewood Ranch’s Greenbrook Park just after midnight Feb. 5. Deputies say an on-duty security guard found Cherp outside his car, a 2012 gray four-door Mercedes.

Cherp was taken to a local hospital, but died from his injuries.

Detectives believe the shooting that led to Cherp’s death happened between 11 and 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 4, a Tuesday, Feb. 14 email from the sheriff’s office said.

Possible suspects in the case have been identified, but no arrests have been announced.

Anyone with information about the case or who may have seen something suspicious at the park is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.

Photo courtesy of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office