In the early hours of Sunday, February 22, 2026, a gathering in the Samoset neighborhood of Bradenton, Florida, took a fatal turn, ending the life of 23-year-old Rickie Riddle III. Just after 3:30 a.m., the Manatee County Sheriff's Office received reports of a shooting and dispatched deputies to a residence on 34th Avenue East. Upon arrival, they discovered Riddle with gunshot wounds.
Despite the immediate life-saving efforts of the deputies, he was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
Investigators quickly determined that Riddle was not alone in his final moments. He had been at the home with several other people, including a man he knew, 46-year-old Chadrick Hunter. As the investigation progressed, authorities identified Hunter as the suspect in the shooting. He was arrested later that same day and faced serious charges, including second-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. While the individuals involved were all accounted for, and authorities assured the community there was no ongoing threat, the motive behind the deadly encounter remained under investigation.
Born on February 13, 2003, Rickie "Minnie Me" Riddle III was remembered as a fun, caring, and loving young man with aspirations for his future. He was a father who valued spending time with his family and friends, known for checking in on loved ones and showing his love and appreciation. His life, cut tragically short, left a void in the lives of those who knew him, as a community was left to grapple with the sudden and violent loss.
