Palmetto Teen Charged as Adult in Fatal Shooting of Manatee High Senior
A 17-year-old Palmetto resident has been charged as an adult in connection with the fatal shooting of a Manatee High School senior last month in Bradenton.
According to court records, Santana Davis, 17, faces charges of manslaughter by culpable negligence with a firearm, improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon or firearm, and possession of a firearm by a person under 24 years of age previously found delinquent.
The charges stem from a May 18 shooting that claimed the life of 17-year-old Demetrius Lightfoot Jr. Officers responded to a 911 call at approximately 10:15 p.m. at a residence in the 700 block of 12th Avenue West, where they discovered Lightfoot deceased.
Lightfoot, a senior at Manatee High School, was preparing to graduate later that week.
A probable cause affidavit states that a witness told detectives the shooting appeared to be accidental. The witness reported that Davis and Lightfoot were friends and that Davis was handling a Glock-style handgun when he fumbled with the weapon and a shot was fired.
Investigators said the witness reported that Davis and another individual fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
During a June 12 hearing, Judge Ryan Felix denied bond for Davis and ordered him held on pretrial detention.
Davis is scheduled to be arraigned on July 24.
