On a calm Sunday morning in Bradenton, Florida, what started as a friendly gathering at a house on 34th Avenue East turned into a scene of tragedy and loss. A 23-year-old man was fatally shot, and a 46-year-old man now sits in jail facing serious murder charges.
Around 3:45 a.m. on February 22, 2026, deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office rushed to the 1400 block of 34th Avenue East after receiving calls about gunfire. When they arrived, they found Rickie Riddle III suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers immediately started life-saving efforts and stayed with him until paramedics took over, but despite everything they did, Riddle was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterward.
Investigators moved fast to figure out what happened and who was responsible. They took Chadrick Hunter, age 46, into custody and charged him with second-degree murder along with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to sheriff’s officials, Hunter and Riddle already knew each other. Both men had been at the home earlier that night, spending time there with several other people before the shooting occurred.
Detectives have since identified and spoken with everyone who was present, and they have made it clear that this was not a random attack. There is no danger to the wider public from this incident. The exact reason behind the shooting is still being carefully investigated. Detectives continue to interview witnesses and carefully examine all the evidence collected from the house and surrounding area.
Because Hunter is a convicted felon, he was not legally allowed to have a firearm. That fact has led to the extra weapons charge on top of the murder accusation. The 1400 block of 34th Avenue East is a residential neighborhood in Bradenton. After the shooting, the area became a busy crime scene as investigators worked to collect evidence, take photos, and try to understand how a social evening ended in such violence.
Rickie Riddle III was only 23 years old. His life ended far too soon in this act of violence, leaving his family, friends, and those who cared about him facing deep pain and shock. So far, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has not shared more details about the exact nature of the relationship between Riddle and Hunter or the specific events that led up to the shooting.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Authorities are asking anyone who has information—no matter how small it may seem—to contact detectives so they can get a clearer, fuller understanding of what took place during those early morning hours on 34th Avenue East.