Bradenton Man Convicted of Murdering Girlfriend During 2023 Argument

A Bradenton man was convicted Wednesday of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, Amanda Shoaf, during a domestic dispute in 2023.

Nicholas Shermer was found guilty by a jury in the death of the 27-year-old woman, who was shot four times inside the couple’s shared apartment on Carlton Inlet Drive.

According to investigators, Shermer called 911 after the shooting and admitted to killing Shoaf during an argument over her birthday plans. He told police he became upset after learning her family did not want him to attend the celebration. Shermer claimed Shoaf was blocking the bedroom door, preventing him from leaving when he fired the shots.

However, forensic evidence presented during the trial contradicted Shermer’s version of events. Prosecutors argued that the shooting was intentional and pointed to physical evidence indicating Shoaf was not an immediate threat.

Shoaf was killed almost instantly by the fourth gunshot, prosecutors said.

Shermer now faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.