Manatee County authorities say a Florida homeowner shot and killed 36‑year‑old convicted felon Nicholas Palomo after Palomo allegedly tried to abduct the homeowner’s wife in Bradenton on New Year’s Day. The woman escaped, alerted her husband, and the homeowner confronted the suspect, who police say advanced toward him. Deputies arrived at 12:27 a.m.; an autopsy found Palomo died from a single gunshot to the chest. The State Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and ruled the shooting justified; the couple’s names remain withheld under Marsy’s Law.
Florida Homeowner Shoots Suspected Kidnapper After Wife Is Followed Home — State Attorney Rules Shooting Justified
Armed husband confronts suspected Florida kidnapper after wife is followed home
Manatee County investigators say a Florida homeowner shot and killed a 36-year-old convicted felon after the man allegedly attempted to abduct the homeowner’s wife on New Year’s Day.
Nicholas Palomo in a 2023 booking photo. Police said that on Jan. 1, Palomo had caused a disturbance at nearby Circle K and appeared under the influence of drugs before approaching a woman walking her dog.(Fox News)
According to WTVT‑TV and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, authorities identified the suspect as Nicholas Palomo, a 36‑year‑old convicted felon who previously served time for kidnapping and other crimes. The incident occurred in Bradenton, Florida, when Palomo allegedly approached a woman who was walking her dog.
The State Attorney's Office determined the homeowner acted in self-defense when confronting Nicholas Palomo on New Year's Day.
The woman managed to break free from Palomo’s vehicle and ran home, where she alerted her husband. The homeowner went outside and confronted the suspect. Detectives say Palomo became threatening and advanced toward the husband; police say the homeowner then fired a single shot.
The Manatee County Sheriff's Department ruled that the homeowner's action were justified.
Response and Investigation
Deputies arrived at the scene at 12:27 a.m. and found the suspect unresponsive. Emergency crews attempted life‑saving measures, but Palomo was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy determined he died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
Investigators also reported that, before the alleged attempt to abduct the woman, Palomo had caused a disturbance at a nearby Circle K and appeared to be under the influence of drugs.
Legal Ruling
After reviewing the evidence, the State Attorney’s Office concluded the homeowner’s use of force was justified. In keeping with Marsy’s Law, the names of the husband and wife were not released. Fox News Digital has contacted the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office for additional comment.
Key facts: Incident in Bradenton on New Year’s Day; suspect identified as Nicholas Palomo; deputies arrived at 12:27 a.m.; autopsy found a single gunshot wound to the chest; State Attorney’s Office ruled the shooting justified.
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