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BRADENTON, FL — In a significant legal development, a man has been convicted on multiple felony charges stemming from a violent incident in 2023 at the Tropicana plant. According to a news release issued by the Bradenton Police Department, this conviction marks a crucial moment for the community.
Demitrius Tyrone Bell, aged 51, was found guilty on Friday morning of attempted murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, armed kidnapping, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The trial commenced on Wednesday, leading up to this pivotal verdict.
The incident occurred on June 5, 2023, when Bell returned to the plant outside of his scheduled shift and shot a 39-year-old coworker, causing serious injuries to the victim, as per police reports.
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After the shooting, Bell did not stop there; he forcibly took another coworker, a 38-year-old woman, with him as he left the premises. Fortunately, she was released on June 7 in Hillsborough County.
Following the incident, Bell managed to avoid apprehension until April 15, 2024. The Bradenton Police Department’s Crime Reduction Team learned of Bell’s return to the area, leading to a chase when officers attempted to arrest him.
Not long after, Bell was located on the roof of a storage facility in the 2800 block of Manatee Avenue E, thanks to the assistance of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit. He was taken into custody by the Bradenton police.
Upon his arrest, he was found in possession of a firearm that matched a shell casing collected from the scene of the shooting at the Tropicana plant.
Key Information
- Incident Date: June 5, 2023
- Convicted Individual: Demitrius Tyrone Bell, 51
- Charges: Attempted murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, armed kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Trial Start Date: Wednesday before the conviction
- Victim: 39-year-old male coworker, seriously injured
- Second Victim: 38-year-old female coworker, released June 7
- Arrest Date: April 15, 2024
- Location of Arrest: Roof of storage facility on Manatee Avenue E
- Evidence: Firearm matched shell casing from the shooting scene
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Article original publish date: 2025-03-14 07:00:00
Article source: patch.com
Read the full story at the original source: patch.com
