On Thursday, March 19, Bradenton detectives quietly marked a grim milestone - the third anniversary of the killing of 56-year-old Dwight Sutton Sr. Sutton was shot several times around 7 p.m. on March 19, 2023, in front of a home in the 700 block of 17th Street Court East. The case is still unsolved, and investigators say they are not letting it go as neighbors continue to look for answers.
Police Appeal And Reward
In a recent post on X, the Bradenton Police Department marked the anniversary of Sutton's killing and said detectives "strongly believe" someone out there knows who is responsible. The message renews a standing plea for tips and directs people to submit anonymous information through Crime Stoppers of Manatee County in order to be eligible for reward money.
Case Details And Prior Coverage
Regional coverage has laid out the basic timeline. Officers were called around 7 p.m. on March 19, 2023, to the 700 block of 17th Street Court East, where they found Sutton suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead. Local outlets have followed the investigation and the shifting reward offers over time, including updates on how to report information. WWSB/ABC7 reported on the rewards attached to the case and the channels for submitting tips.
Investigation Update
According to a web release from the department, detectives later identified 58-year-old Michael Alonzo Phillips as a person of interest and arrested him on July 2, 2024. The same release states that investigators believe Phillips orchestrated Sutton's killing, although the actual shooter has not been identified. It also notes that the State Attorney's Office declined to proceed with charges at that time and that the Manatee County Homicide Task Force remains involved in the ongoing inquiry. The Bradenton Police Department has published the full statement online.
How To Submit Tips
Authorities say tips that could qualify for reward payments must go first to Crime Stoppers of Manatee County, either online at manateecrimestoppers.com or by calling 1-866-634-TIPS (8477). For those who want to speak directly with investigators without going through the reward program, police list Detective Brian Sands as the contact on the case. He can be reached at [email protected] or 941-932-9312. The case remains on the Manatee County Crime Stoppers unsolved list as BPD case #2023-002374, and Manatee County Crime Stoppers continues to keep the public listing active.
Legal Status
Because there was a prior arrest but prosecutors did not move forward at that time, the legal path in Sutton's killing remains unsettled and likely hinges on new, admissible evidence. Investigators say fresh tips could change that calculus for the State Attorney's Office. For now, the case stays open, and detectives keep pressing their message to the community: if you know anything about who killed Dwight Sutton Sr., call Crime Stoppers or contact Bradenton Police.
