A Manatee County man wanted for shooting and injuring multiple people the day after Thanksgiving has been arrested in Georgia.
Ronnie D. Morton III, 23, was taken into custody by the Savannah Police Department after a Manatee County Sheriff's Office detective learned Morton, who had alluded law enforcement for over a week, was traveling from Florida on an Amtrak train bound for North Carolina.
Morton’s cell phone was pinging on railroad tracks just north of Jacksonville on the evening of Dec. 7 and was heading into Georgia. Detectives coordinated a multi-jurisdictional operation with Amtrak Police and the Savannah Police Department, leading to Morton’s arrest at a train station in Savannah early Sunday morning.
Just before 1 am on Nov. 29, 2024, Morton pulled out a handgun in the parking lot of Absolute Sports Lounge (5012 15th St E., Bradenton) and fired multiple rounds in the direction of a 25-year-old man he was arguing with. The intended victim was shot several times, and other bullets hit four bystanders. Each victim had non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and later released from local hospitals.
At the time of the shooting, witnesses were hesitant to provide deputies with detailed information. However, through further investigation, detectives discovered that Morton had fled Manatee County and was likely traveling out of state. Thanks to Amtrak Police and the Savannah Police Department for their assistance with this case.
Morton is charged with five counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Felony Possession of a Firearm, and Armed Robbery from a previous outstanding warrant out of Manatee County. He remains in the Chatham County Jail and will be extradited to Manatee County at a later date.
Detectives are still working to identify another man who was in a car with Morton when he left the scene on Nov. 29. He is described as a black male wearing a black and silver shirt with the number 77. Anyone with information is urged to call the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at (941) 747-3011 or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, contact Manatee County Crime Stoppers at (866) 634-TIPS or ManateeCrimeStoppers.com
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