Two Charged in Saturday Morning Killing

Within 15 hours of a shooting that left a man dead behind the wheel of his car, Bradenton Police officers captured and charged two men in connection with the shooting. Police credit local businesses and residents for helping them solve the crime.

Charles A. Brown, 25, of Palmetto, and Tarvin L. Martin Jr., 23, of Bradenton, are charged with second degree murder after confessing to the shooting, according to a Bradenton Police report. The driver has not been identified pending notification of next of kin.

The shooting took place at around 4:15 a.m. Saturday in the 600 block of 21st Street East. When officers arrived they found a motorist dead, slumped behind the wheel of his car.

Police canvassed the neighborhood and businesses for any information that could help them solve the shooting. They approached several businesses that were able to provide video of the area before and after the shooting.

Just before 9 p.m. Saturday, Detectives Kevin Bunch and Leonel Marines saw a gray Chevrolet Impala that matched the one in the videos captured  at businesses near the shooting.

The detectives stopped the car and found a firearm. Detectives say they questioned Brown and Martin, who confessed to the shooting. 

According to the police report, there had been no prior relationship between the victim and the suspects, and there was no evidence "whatsoever" to indicate that the victim was involved in any criminal activity.

Capt. Warren Merriman said that from the start, Bradenton detectives worked diligently to locate the suspects "responsible for this senseless, random act of violence." The collaborative effort with residents and businesses that provided Bradenton Police with video of the suspect vehicle prior to and after the shooting made it possible to quickly solve the case.

Merriman said the cooperation between the local residents and businesses is based on the Department’s outstanding partnership with the community, developed through its community policing program.  

Police are asking that anyone with more information in this case call any of the following numbers: Bradenton Police Detective Kevin Bunch at 941-932-9300 Ext. 380, or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000, call Crime Stoppers (toll free) at 1-866-634-8477 (TIPS) or send an anonymous E-Tip thru the web at www.manateecrimestoppers.com