Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Suspected Oneco Shooter Captured On DeSoto Bridge

Oneco shooting suspect fled from Shell gas station before crashing car on DeSoto Bridge.

Updated 10 a.m. March 20 

A man suspected of a Tuesday night shooting in Oneco was captured hours later after he fled from a gas station and crashed his car on the Desoto Bridge.

It all started at 6 p.m. Tuesday when deputies were in the Oneco area for another incident when they heard a shot fired from a neighboring street and heard a car flee from the scene, according to the sheriff's office.

Find out what's happening in Bradentonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Deputies ran to the 5600 block of 8th St. Court East and found a four-door 2010 Chevrolet with a bullet hole in the window, according to the sheriff's office.

Detectives later received information that the suspect was at the Shell gas station, 836 301 Blvd East, just before 10 p.m. 

Find out what's happening in Bradentonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Multiple deputies arrived at the gas station, attempted to block the Pontiac car from leaving the scene, but it managed to drive onto U.S. 301, and a pursuit began, according to the sheriff's office.

The car turned onto 1st Street, speeding about 90 mph, and drove onto the Desoto Bridge where he lost control of the car, struck the back of a car "at a glancing blow," leading to the Pontiac in the chase breaking down, according to the sheriff's office. 

Inside the car were the suspected shooter Devante Brown, of 3116 54th Drive East, and the driver, Robert Bing, of 2518 11th Avenue East, plus a female and two children, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies say they didn't know that children were in the car until the end of the pursuit, and Bing faces child neglect charges for it, according to the sheriff's office.

Back at the gas station, authorities recovered a gun, the sheriff's office added.

Brown is charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, criminal mischief felony, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm in a pub, and improper exhibition of a firearm, according to the sheriff's office. 

He has prior charges from the last year, including intent to sell meth, another charge for possessing a gun by a convicted felon and multiple other charges, according to the sheriff's office. 

The driver of the car, Bing, was charged with fleeing/eluding police at high speed, two counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, and operating a car without a valid license, according to the sheriff's office.

Bing has multiple charges against him in the last two years, including leaving the scene of a crash and possession of drugs and intent to distribute, according to the sheriff's office.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Bradenton