One of the suspects, 18-year-old Fredrick Kelly, made his first court appearance on Monday.
BRADENTON, Fla. — A tragic shooting occurred early Sunday morning on the Bradenton Riverwalk, resulting in one fatality and two injuries.
The incident unfolded around 4:07 a.m. at Rossi Park, with police responding to reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers found three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds, who were swiftly transported to a nearby hospital.
One victim, identified as 21-year-old Wilfredo Allende, affectionately known as “Bebo” to his family, succumbed to his injuries. The other two victims are currently receiving treatment.
“My son. He was a great, great human being. He was always funny and always laughing, a good kid,” stated Bebo’s father, Wilfredo Allende Sr.
“I would like to ask him why I started shooting anybody, you know that’s what I would like to ask him,” he added, expressing his grief.
Two suspects are now in custody. During a court hearing, Fredrick Kelly appeared before a Manatee County judge, who revoked his bond on a previous charge without issuing a new one.
Details leading up to the shooting remain unclear. Police Capt. Brian Thiers stated that what initially seemed to be a robbery turned out to be a conflict between individuals that escalated into gunfire.
Reportedly, at least two individuals exchanged gunfire, with one of the injured being a 17-year-old suspect who was shot in self-defense.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) searched the area for the weapon involved, which had been reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle earlier this year.
Video footage reveals how Kelly’s group approached Allende’s group aggressively, prompting a defensive response.
“The evidence indicated that they were the aggressors. The individual who fired in self-defense was evidently acting to protect someone else,” Thiers explained.
“Decisions made at a young age can have lasting consequences. In this case, a family mourns their son, and they are facing funeral arrangements due to poor decisions made by young individuals,” he lamented.
The investigation continues as police assure the community that the area remains safe. The city maintains a contract with a private security firm to patrol the park and downtown district during late-night and early morning hours.
Key Information
- Incident: Shooting at Bradenton Riverwalk.
- Date/Time: Early Sunday morning, around 4:07 a.m.
- Fatalities: One victim, 21-year-old Wilfredo Allende.
- Injuries: Two other victims, including a 17-year-old suspect.
- Suspects: Two suspects in custody, including 18-year-old Fredrick Kelly.
- Context: Possible conflict escalated to gunfire rather than a robbery.
- Investigation Status: Ongoing.
- Community Safety: Authorities reassure public safety with continued patrols.
Article original publish date: 2025-03-30 07:00:00
Article source: www.wtsp.com
Read the full story at the original source: www.wtsp.com
