Bradenton gunman who killed on the run

4 other people also shot during bar fight, Manatee deputies say

Sheriff ’s deputies are looking for the gunman who killed a 39-year-old man during a fight early Sunday at a Bradenton bar. Four other people were also shot, according to the Manatee County Sheriff ’s Office.

Gabriel Conde, who would have turned 40 on Tuesday, died shortly after he was shot outside Tommy Knockers Saloon, 5627 14th St. W., the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies were looking for the gunman, who witnesses said fled the scene in a white, fourdoor vehicle, possibly a Chevrolet Impala, with two or three other men, according to the sheriff ’s office.

“The detectives are following all kinds of leads to try to pinpoint who the shooter is and where he might be,” Manatee Sheriff spokesman Randy Warren said. “But we do not believe this was a random shooting. This was likely part of a followup to a previous argument.”

The four other people who were shot, including a man who apparently drove himself to a hospital, were treated for what were described as non-lifethreatening injuries, deputies said.

The men range in ages from 18 to 29 years old. All are expected to make a full recovery, deputes said.

The trouble started about 12:30 a.m., when a group of men arrived at the bar and got into an argument with a group that had arrived earlier, according to a news release.

The groups took the argument outside, where they started to fight. At some point, a man in the second group pulled out a gun and started shooting, deputies said.

Megan Hagaman, who just started bartending at Tommy Knockers, was working her third shift Sunday afternoon following the shooting.

“I don’t know what started the argument but it didn't get violent until they went outside,” she said. “Besides that, I don’t know much but incidents like this can really happen at any bar, at any time.”

The shooter was described as a bald man, standing about 5 feet, 8 inches tall. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue jean shorts, according to the report.

According to court records, Conde has faced several charges dating back to the mid ‘90s including aggravated assault with a firearm, concealed weapon by a convicted felon, attempted robbery, drug possession and burglary.

“We know that there are probably people who spread, which is the right thing to do, when the shooting took place and they could know more than they may be willing to share,” Warren said, “so we always want to make an appeal for people to come forward and contact us, and they can remain anonymous through Crimestoppers.”

Anyone with information about what happened can call the sheriff’s office at 941-747-3011 or Crimestoppers at 866-634-TIPS.