Bradenton Triple Homicide Suspect's Car Found

The hunt for a 33-year-old Bradenton man continues following a grisly discovery of three bodies on Thursday.

According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies are looking for Andres “Andy” Avalos for questioning in the case, which began to unfold around 1:20 p.m. Thursday when officers responded to a shooting at Bayshore Baptist Church, 6502 14th St. W. There deputies found Pastor James “Tripp” Battle, 31, dead.

After learning there might be more victims, deputies went to a home on 14th Street West. There they found the bodies of Amber Avalos, 33, and Denise Potter, 46.

A search for Andy Avalos was immediately kicked off with deputies searching for a Chevrolet Suburban he may have been driving. That vehicle was found Friday morning at a Walmart on State Road 64.

What happened to spark the violence remains a mystery, sheriff’s office spokesman Dave Bristow was quoted by The Tampa Tribune as saying. Detectives believe the two women were killed first.

Andy and Amber Avalos have six children who are now in the custody of a relative.

Anyone who has seen Andy Avalos is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011, Extensions 2003, 2008 or 2274.

Photo Credit: Andy Avalos/Courtesy of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office