In the early morning hours of Sunday, March 8, 2026, the life of 27-year-old Jamari Murray-Barnes was cut short in a targeted act of violence in Bradenton, Florida. Murray-Barnes and a companion, 22-year-old De'Ryan Lopez, were inside a white vehicle at the intersection of U.S. 41 and 53rd Avenue West when another car pulled alongside them. Multiple gunshots were fired into their car, the sound of the assault prompting a response from Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies who were patrolling
nearby.
Upon their arrival at the scene in the 5200 block of 14th Street West, deputies discovered the vehicle riddled with bullet holes and surrounded by spent shell casings. Inside, they found both Murray-Barnes and Lopez suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite the immediate medical aid rendered by the deputies until emergency services arrived, Jamari Murray-Barnes was pronounced dead at the scene. Lopez, who was also injured in the attack, was transported to a local hospital for treatment and was expected to survive.
The investigation into the deadly shooting quickly progressed, with detectives from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office identifying the incident as a targeted attack rather than a random act of violence. Their inquiries led them to identify 35-year-old Maurice McCary, also known by the street name "D'Low," as the primary suspect in the shooting. Investigators believe the motive for the fatal encounter stemmed from an altercation that had occurred at a local bar just two days prior to the shooting.
In the days following the death of Jamari Murray-Barnes, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office announced that they had secured an arrest warrant for Maurice McCary, charging him with second-degree murder. Authorities also indicated that additional charges related to the injuries sustained by De'Ryan Lopez were pending. A public appeal was made for information regarding McCary's whereabouts, with a substantial reward of up to $9,500 being offered for tips leading to his arrest. As of mid-March 2026, Maurice McCary, described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing approximately 175 pounds, remained at large.
