Manatee County sheriff’s deputies arrested Kevin R. Armstrong, 47, June 6 in connection with a shooting in the 3900 block of 116th Street West, Cortez.
A verbal altercation escalated when Armstrong confronted a 33-year-old woman as she arrived with two men on a golf cart to retrieve personal items from a residence in Sunny Shores, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
According to the release, Armstrong fired a shotgun at the woman as she and two men who accompanied her to the residence attempted to flee.
Armstrong allegedly continued firing and one of the men grabbed a handgun from the golf cart and fired in Armstrong’s direction.
During the exchange of gunfire, the woman was shot in the chest, the MCSO said.
The two men who arrived with the injured woman at Sunny Shores then drove her in the golf cart to the intersection of 119th Street West and 45th Avenue West in Cortez, where they were met by county emergency medical services and West Manatee Fire Rescue personnel.
WMFR marshal Randy Kwiatkowski told The Islander June 6, “Upon our arrival, we found and treated an adult female for a gunshot wound to the chest.”
The woman was transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton and, as of June 7, she remained in stable condition.
MCSO deputies arrived at Armstrong’s residence in Cortez and took him to the Manatee County jail in Palmetto.
The MCSO said Armstrong had been involved in a domestic relationship with the woman and had slapped her in the face earlier in the evening.
Armstrong faces three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and battery.
Aggravated assault with a firearm 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.
Manatee Clerk of the Court records show an ex parte risk protection order was filed June 7 for Armstrong. The temporary order can be issued without notice if there is evidence the person poses a danger of personal injury to themselves or others.
No date for arraignment was listed on the Manatee Clerk of the Court website as of June 7.
According to MSCO jail inmate records, Armstong was released June 8 on $7,500 bond for the assault charge and $2,500 bond for the battery charge.