Two people are dead after an early-morning shooting in Bradenton being described as a home invasion.
Officials said there were five children in the home at the time of the shooting.
According to Bradenton police, officers responded to reports of a shooting at a home in the 3900 block of Southern Parkway just before 4 a.m.
When they arrived at the home, officers discovered the bodies of Kantral Markeith Brooks and Esther Denues, both 29.
Police have identified the victims as Kantral Markeith Brooks and Esther Denues, both 29.
Kantral Markeith Brooks and Esther Denues
Police have identified the victims as Kantral Markeith Brooks and Esther Denues, both 29.
Brooks was found dead near the door and Denues was found in a hallway.
The children in the home range in age from 1 to 11 years old. Officials said none of the children were hurt but at least one of them may have seen four to five masked people enter the home.
Investigators also say there are security cameras inside the home.
Image from a surveillance camera shows three masked intruders.
"That right now is going to be our best step going forward,” said Det. James Rackey, Bradenton Police Department. “If we can get anything from the kids or video we can get, that that's where we will start from."
The children are now staying with family members.
Officers found bullet-shattered glass in the door window when they arrived. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is assisting in the investigation. Police say they do not believe this was random.
Until they know more for sure police are asking anyone with any information to speak up.
"Whoever came to this house and did this will be talking about it and somebody knows about it someone is going to hear something,” said Rackey. “We need their help, we need them to call us with any tips and info so we can put these people behind bars."
A gofundme account has been set up to help the family with funeral/child care expenses
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