A manhunt is underway in Florida as authorities search for a suspect accused of killing his wife, neighbor and pastor.
The Tampa Tribune has reported that Andres “Andy” Avalos, 33, allegedly murdered his wife and neighbor at his home before driving to his church and fatally shooting his pastor.
WTSP-TV noted that officers responded to a shooting at Bayshore Baptist Church around 1:20 p.m. Thursday and found the body of Pastor James "Tripp" Battle, 31. While there, authorities learned that another church employee Amber Avalos and her neighbor, 46-year-old Denise Potter, had been killed at the Avalos’ home in Bradenton.
On Friday, the suspect’s car was found abandoned in a Walmart parking lot.
“We don’t know if whether or not he is still alive,” said Manatee County sheriff’s spokesman Dave Bristow. “We presume he is.”
Law enforcement officials said that Avalos is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact police immediately.