A Cortez man is set for an arraignment Sept. 13 in connection with a June 6 shooting in the Sunny Shores mobile home community.
Kevin Armstrong, 48, faces a charge of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony.
Manatee County sheriff’s deputies responded to 911 calls reporting a shooting and, upon arrival to the intersection of 119th Street West and 45th Avenue West in Cortez, discovered Caitlin Lipke, 33, of Cortez with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Lipke was taken to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton for treatment.
According to MCSO reports, the events leading up to the shooting began earlier June 6 when Lipke was allegedly assaulted by Armstrong, her boyfriend, at his residence in the 3900 block of 116th Street West.
Lipke told deputies she fled to a restaurant, where she met with friends Dylan Taylor of Cortez and Cole Banyas of Bradenton Beach. The trio returned to Armstrong’s residence to retrieve Lipke’s belongings.
They were met by Armstrong, his son and three of his son’s friends, who, according to Lipke, were armed with weapons.
An argument ensued, during which Lipke attempted to flee. Multiple shots were fired and Lipke was injured.
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.
Armstrong’s arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W.