Suspected Gang Member Arrested Hours After Shooting

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes Task Force arrested a suspected gang member in a night club shooting Saturday.

The sheriff's department charged Juan Pena with aggravated assault in the shooting that took place early Saturday morning at the Nite Club, 5108 15th St E. Deputies found 20 people in the parking lot while responding to a disturbance call.

When deputies arrived most of the people went back inside the club, but Javier Silva who had been shot in the arm approached deputies and asked for help. Silva had a gunshot wound the the forearm and was taken to Blake Trauma Center for treatment.

Witnesses described a white chevy Impala, occupied by several unknown men. By Saturday afternoon, deputies had an arrest warrant for Pena.  Detectives from the Violent Crimes Tasks Force, Strategical/Tactical Gang Unit and K-9 Apprehension Team observed Pena get into a grey Chrysler and drive eastbound on 57th Avenue East. 

Deputies stopped the vehicle and Pena was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and is being held without bond.