A Bradenton man has been convicted of manslaughter with a firearm in the 2022 shooting death of 16-year-old Amare Dunbar.
A Manatee County jury found Erick Yoel Paz, 19, guilty Aug. 21 following a four-day trial. Paz had originally been charged with second-degree murder with a firearm but was convicted of the lesser offense.
The shooting occurred in July 2022 at an apartment complex in the 5300 block of 26th Street West in Bradenton. Paz was 15 at the time.
Investigators said Dunbar and three other teenagers met with Paz for a transaction. A dispute developed inside the vehicle carrying the teenagers, and Paz got out. As the vehicle drove away, Paz fired multiple shots toward it, according to prosecutors.
Two bullets struck the vehicle, while additional shots struck a nearby apartment building. Dunbar, who was sitting in the rear seat, was struck by one of the bullets. He was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators identified Paz as the suspected shooter through witness statements, photo lineups and messages exchanged around the time of the shooting. He was arrested the following day.
Paz’s defense previously sought dismissal of the case under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law. Circuit Judge Teri Dees denied the request, and an appeal of that decision was later rejected.
Following the guilty verdict, Paz’s bond was revoked and he was taken into custody.
Paz faces up to 30 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 1.