Merritt Island Murder Suspect Arrested

Devonte Bradley

MERRITT ISLAND, Florida -- The Brevard County Sheriff's Office announced today that members of the GAMEOVER Task Force have arrested 19-year-old Devonte Bradley, of 700 Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, Florida, for First Degree Premeditated Murder in the September 24, 2012, shooting death of 21-year-old Evander Tinsley of Cocoa, Florida.  

 

Information received by the Task Force led them to a residence in the city of Cocoa, Florida.  After a brief standoff, Bradley surrendered without incident and was taken into custody.  Bradley will be taken to the Brevard County Jail Complex in Sharpes, where he will be held with a No Bond status.

 

Officials say that the investigation determined that Bradley approached Tinsley on a stairwell leading up to an apartment at the Tropical Manor Apartment complex in an apparent robbery attempt.  Tinsley was allegedly struck in the head by Bradley and upon resisting; the Tinsley was shot multiple times.   

Investigators believe that Tinsley attempted to evade Bradley by running up the stairs into an Apartment.  Bradley gave then chase, following the Tinsley into the apartment where gunfire was heard.  Tinsley exited the rear of the apartment, where he managed to make his way down the stairs before collapsing in the grass and succumbing to his wounds.  

 

Anyone with information about the investigation is urged to call the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at 321-633-8413 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).  

All calls to CRIMELINE are confidential, and callers can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward for information leading to an arrest.