A man from Florida has been taken into custody after allegedly storming into a medical laboratory and fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend.
Keith Roberts Jr., aged 29, faces charges of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Myshaela Burnham, also 29. Additionally, he is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting a colleague of Burnham’s who witnessed the incident, as reported by the Bradenton Police Department.
The injured co-worker remains in the hospital, and authorities have not disclosed her identity.
According to police, the tragic event unfolded shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday. Witnesses who contacted 911 described a vehicle speeding away from the scene. Officers quickly located the vehicle as it headed toward the Desoto Bridge. With cooperation from other law enforcement agencies, Roberts was apprehended just 25 minutes after the shooting.
Roberts consented to an interview and was officially charged later that same day.
Bradenton Police Chief Josh Cramer labeled Roberts as “a terrorist,” according to a report by WTVT.
“He terrorized those people’s lives,” said Cramer.
“He walked in an unlocked door and went directly to the desk where the victim was, knowing that’s where her desk was, and directly opened fire at point-blank range,” the sheriff said. “Closer than you and I are likely right now, with a shotgun multiple times. Some of it hitting the victim who was at an adjoining desk. That’s how close it was that the blast hit her too, and then he, in what can only be called premeditated, took out a gun and started shooting at her.”
Police said that Roberts had been a security guard at Manatee Memorial Hospital and that he and Burnham had been in a long-term relationship that recently ended.
The surviving victim is in stable condition, Cramer said, but has a long recovery road ahead of her.
“She was shot multiple times. Shotgun blast and handgun blast. She’s lucky to be alive, really is, and we are all praying for her safe recovery,” he said.
Roberts is being held without bond pending a detention hearing on Friday.
