BRADENTON, Fla. — A 43-year-old woman was killed as she was getting home from grocery shopping after bullets pierced through the car she was in and struck her.
Now, Bradenton police and Manatee County homicide investigators are working to figure out who fired those deadly shots.
The investigation reportedly began just after 6 p.m. Tuesday on 8th Avenue E near 24th Street E in Bradenton when authorities got word of a shooting in the area. A shooter, or shooters, fired at least 10 shots, causing damage to homes and cars.
A second shooting on 15th Avenue E near 21st Avenue E, less than two miles away from the first shooting, reportedly occurred around 7:30 p.m.
The shooter(s) fired more than 30 rounds during the second shooting. The 43-year-old woman, identified by her daughter as Yolanda Baxcajay-Flores, was shot while she was in her car. Police said she had just come home from grocery shopping.
When officers arrived, they reportedly tried to save the woman before EMS rushed her to the hospital. She later died overnight at the hospital.
Police said they are confident Baxcajay-Flores was not the "intended victim" and wasn't intentionally targeted by the shooter(s).
Detectives said they are working to gather information about the shooter(s) and any cars involved in the two shootings.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Det. Brian Sands at brian.sands@bradentonpd.com or 941-932-9312; or Det. Jeff Beckley at jeff.beckley@bradentonpd.com or 941-932-9356.
Tips can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at manateecrimestoppers.com. Information leading to an arrest could result in up to a $3,000 reward.