Burglary suspect trying to escape killed by Manatee Sheriff's Deputy

BRADENTON, Fla. - Investigating a burglary in progress, Manatee deputies caught suspects attempting to flee.  But when the driver of car refused to stop, she was shot and killed.

A broken window shows the start of what unraveled in Wednesday night.

"The laptop was outside," said a woman who would only identify herself as the sister of the woman who lived in this duplex. 

"This was the last TV here at the door that was getting ready to come out."

Inside 913 B 66th Avenue, a television set is clear evidence of what was being taken as deputies closed in on a Burglary in progress.

"They were still inside as the police got here," she said.

"They" were 26-year-old Jesse Flores and the driver of getaway car, 26-year-old Joanna Mojica.

"And they were coming right at two of our deputies," said Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Dave Bristow. 

"So one of our deputies pulls out his service revolver  -- and this is after repeated, you know…commands to stop," he said. 

"Well, they don't stop, obviously. The deputy fires and hits the suspect driver in the head."

Neighbors said it was like a scene from a cop show or movie.

"The car was  mainly aimed at the passenger side band, he was really the one they were trying to get. They could've shot the tires," said Megan McGlynn, who lives next door. 

"I'm not knocking the cops, I mean I love what they do here they keep our city safe, but the way they shot the car, I think it was kinda unjust," she said.

But the Sheriff's Office insists the shooting was justified.

"The officer did what he had to do," Bristow said.

For folks in the Bayshore Gardens neighborhood, it was a sleepless night as authorities continued to investigate.

The woman who identifies herself as the sister of the woman who lives in the duplex expressed her disbelief.

"Over some TVs, you got killed," said the burglary victim's sister. "This lady is dead over some TVs… TVs!  She's dead.  26 years old and she's dead."

Jesse Flores is being held on charges of Burglary, Felony Murder and Attempted Murder.  The officer who shot and killed Joanna Mojica, Aaron Bradley, has been placed on administrative leave as the investigation continues.