Details from a shooting that occurred June 6 in the Sunny Shores mobile home community in Cortez are coming to light based on records from the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office.
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies, county emergency medical services and West Manatee Fire Rescue personnel responded about 8 p.m. June 6 to a shooting, according to MCSO arrest records at the clerk’s website.
The reports indicate deputies arrived in Cortez to find Caitlin Lipke, 33, of Cortez, suffering a gunshot wound to her chest. She was taken to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton for treatment.
Lipke had been involved in an altercation with Kevin Armstrong, 47, at his residence in the 3900 block of 116th Street West earlier that evening. Armstrong allegedly struck her and Lipke left to seek refuge at a nearby restaurant, where she was joined by Dylan Taylor of Cortez and Cole Banyas of Bradenton Beach.
Lipke, along with Taylor and Banyas, returned to Armstrong’s residence for Lipke to retrieve a debit card and her dog. Reports indicate Lipke and Armstrong were in a relationship.
When they encountered Armstrong, he, his son and three of his son’s friends were armed with various weapons, including firearms, according to the MCSO arrest report.
An argument ensued, resulting in Lipke attempting to flee as gunshots were fired.
Lipke, who was in stable condition as of the June 7 report, told investigators she did not know who fired the shots.
Armstrong, in a call to 911, claimed Lipke went to his residence and “shot up” the house.
In an MCSO interview, Taylor said he saw Armstrong with a shotgun, so he retreated to retrieve a pistol from his golf cart.
It was in the chaos outside the residence, with multiple shots fired, that Lipke was injured.
MCSO reports indicated she might have been shot by Taylor as he attempted to protect her.
Physical evidence, including spent shell casings and cartridges were collected and corroborated accounts given by Lipke, Taylor and Banyas, leading to Armstrong’s arrest that evening, according to the MCSO arrest report.
Armstrong was taken to the Manatee County jail in Palmetto on charges of misdemeanor battery and felony aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony.
Aggravated assault is a third-degree felony and can be punished by incarceration of up to five years and a fine up to $5,000.
Battery is a first-degree misdemeanor that can result in up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Armstrong was released June 8 on a $9,500 bond.
His arraignment hearing will be at 9 a.m. Friday, July 26, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave W.
