Alexander Cherp, a 23-year-old resident of Bradenton, Florida, tragically lost his life on February 5, 2017. He was found suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot of Greenbrook Park in Lakewood Ranch. An on-duty security guard discovered Cherp outside his 2012 gray four-door Mercedes just after midnight. Despite being rushed to a local hospital, Cherp succumbed to his injuries. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office believes the shooting occurred between 11 and 11:30 p.m.
on February 4, 2017. Detectives have indicated that Cherp may have been targeted, although the exact motive remains unclear.
The investigation into Cherp's death led to the identification of two suspects. Alan Baily, a 17-year-old from Lakewood Ranch, was arrested on February 25, 2017, and charged with murder and armed robbery. Baily was apprehended in the parking lot of a Home Depot store in Bradenton, where he resisted arrest and was subdued by a police dog. The second suspect, 19-year-old Jose Hernandez, was arrested on February 18, 2017, and also charged with robbery and murder. The authorities believe the incident may have been a drug deal gone wrong, as it was not considered a random act.
The evidence against Baily and Hernandez included multiple latent prints found in Cherp's vehicle and a .40-caliber shell casing discovered in the rear passenger seat. Cell phone data placed Baily near Greenbrook Park at the time of the robbery and revealed phone calls between Baily and Hernandez on the night of the murder. Witness testimony further implicated both suspects, providing the probable cause needed for their arrests. Baily was later sentenced to life in prison for his role in the killing of Alexander Cherp. The case highlights the tragic consequences of violence and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to bring justice to the victims and their families.
