Police find and arrest Bradenton man suspected of shooting his fiancé in her legs
After a search, police have arrested the Bradenton man suspected of shooting his fiance in both of her legs.
Just before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the woman called 911 and reported that she had been shot, the Bradenton Police Department announced Wednesday afternoon.
Bradenton Police Detective Andres Perez was among the first to arrive to the home in the 4100 block of 37th Street Court West and found the 38-year-old woman had been shot in both legs with a single gunshot.
Perez, also a trained SWAT Operator, applied tourniquets before paramedics arrived.
She was taken to HCA Florida Blake Hospital where she remains hospitalized.
Overnight, police tracked her fiancé, Jason Whitehill Smith, to a hotel in Sarasota. Smith was arrested at 4:30 a.m. Thursday by Sarasota and Bradenton police officers and charged with aggravated battery with a firearm.
Smith, 44, custody at the Sarasota County Jail.
He was last seen driving away in his fiancé’s green 2005 GMC Envoy, which police found hours later.
Detectives initially believed that Smith may be headed to Tennessee, where he has relatives.
Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact Detective William Mulligan by calling 941-875-2890 or emailing william.mulligan@bradentonpd.com. Tips can also be emailed to bpdtips@bradentonpd.com.
Or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000, information can be reported to Manatee Crime Stoppers by calling 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) or online at manateecrimestoppers.com.
