Arrest Made in Killing of Sarasota Native in St. Pete

Tuesday night, the St. Petersburg Police Department announced it had arrested Bradley Bolden, 20, and charged him with first-degree murder for the killing of Sarasota native Mathew Little. 

Little, a security guard at the Mariner Point Apartments in St. Petersburg, was found dead next to the pools and tennis courts at the apartment complex. Little, , was 26-years-old. 

At 9:15pm Tuesday night, homicide detectives located Bolden in the 1300 block of 66 Avenue South, St. Petersburg. Police said Bolden did not offer any resistance and was taken into custody without incident.

St. Petersburg Police said Bolden was brought to police headquarters for further interview with investigators. During that interview Bolden admitted committing the murder and stated he was motivated by his dislike for security personnel and law enforcement in general.

Earlier in the day, St. Petersburg detectives had received several tips indicating that Bolden had committed the killing. He was subsequently identified by a witness who had seen him fleeing the apartment complex immediately after the shooting carrying two handguns, police said.

On Monday, Little's employer, Critical Intervention Services of Largo, offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the suspect's arrest. 

Detectives are still attempting to locate the murder weapon and Officer Little's
handgun at this time, based on information provided by Bolden during interrogation.

Officer Little's family have been notified of the arrest.

Little's body was found by police near the tennis courts and pool area at the apartment complex, at 1175 Pinellas Point Drive South, at about 2:10 a.m., on May 16. Police had been asked by Critical Intervention Services to check on his welfare after it lost contact with him.