Barry Joseph, aged 32, tragically lost his life on January 13, 2017, in Bradenton, Florida. On that fateful day, Barry, along with 27-year-old LaShawna Stevenson-Weeks, was found shot in the head in the 5200 block of 15th Street Court East. The incident occurred around 1:18 p.m., and both victims were discovered with fatal gunshot wounds. Barry was found lying in a driveway, while LaShawna was located inside a Ford Explorer.
The initial investigation revealed that LaShawna had sustained three gunshot wounds, two to the head and one to the shoulder.
The investigation quickly led to the arrest of Andrew Thompson, a 22-year-old Bradenton resident. Thompson was charged with two counts of second-degree murder. According to detectives, Thompson was identified as the suspect who fled the scene in a dark compact car, later identified as a gray four-door Pontiac G6 belonging to his girlfriend. The investigation revealed that Thompson and his girlfriend had altered the car's appearance to avoid detection. Witnesses positively identified Thompson as the shooter, and he was apprehended following an undercover surveillance operation.
During the investigation, it was uncovered that Barry Joseph was allegedly Thompson's cocaine dealer. This connection added a layer of complexity to the case, as detectives pieced together the events leading up to the murders. The evidence against Thompson included broken glass found at the scene, which was believed to have come from the car Thompson was driving. The car was seized, and remnants of the glass were found inside, further linking Thompson to the crime.
Thompson's first appearance hearing was marked by his refusal to appear before the judge, but the evidence presented was deemed sufficient to hold him without bond. The case against Thompson was built on witness testimonies, forensic evidence, and the circumstances surrounding the murders. The tragic deaths of Barry Joseph and LaShawna Stevenson-Weeks highlighted the violent consequences of drug-related activities and the swift response of law enforcement in bringing the perpetrator to justice.
