A deadly shooting inside a medical laboratory in Bradenton, Florida, has left a 29-year-old mother dead and her co-worker seriously injured, prompting a swift police response and the arrest of the alleged gunman, Keith Roberts Jr. Authorities say the attack was targeted, deliberate, and carried out in a place where employees and patients expected safety.
The incident has shaken the local community and raised renewed questions about workplace security, domestic violence spillover, and gun access. Bradenton Police Chief Josh Cramer characterized the suspect’s actions as “cruel” and “evil,” emphasizing the traumatic impact on witnesses and survivors who were present during the shooting.
The Shooting at the Bradenton Medical Lab
According to the Bradenton Police Department, the shooting occurred just after 12:45 p.m. on Thursday inside a medical laboratory located in the 5200 block of 4th Avenue Circle East. Investigators say Keith Roberts Jr. entered the building through an unlocked door while armed with both a shotgun and a handgun. Inside the lab, employees were working at their desks when the suspect allegedly moved directly toward one specific workstation.
Police identified the deceased victim as Myshaela Burnham, 29, an employee at the lab and the former girlfriend of Roberts Jr. Chief Cramer stated that Roberts Jr. knew precisely where Burnham worked and went straight to her desk upon entering. Authorities allege that he opened fire at point-blank range with a shotgun, discharging multiple blasts. Due to the close proximity of workstations, another employee seated at an adjoining desk was also struck by the gunfire.
After firing the shotgun, Roberts Jr. is accused of switching to a handgun and continuing to shoot, an action police have described as premeditated. The co-worker sustained multiple gunshot wounds from both the shotgun and the handgun. Emergency responders transported her to a nearby hospital, where she underwent surgery. As of the latest update from police, she remains in stable condition but faces a lengthy recovery.
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Witnesses inside the lab described scenes of panic and terror as employees sought safety and alerted authorities. Chief Cramer later referred to the suspect as a “terrorist” in the context of the fear and trauma inflicted on those present, stating that the people inside the lab would carry the memory of the incident for the rest of their lives.
Victims, Relationship History, and Investigation Findings
Police confirmed that Roberts Jr. and Burnham had been in a long-term dating relationship that had recently ended. Burnham, described by authorities as a mother and a dedicated worker, was going about her normal duties when she was killed. The nature of the relationship and its recent breakup are central to the investigation, as detectives work to establish motive and reconstruct the events leading up to the shooting.
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Roberts Jr. was employed as a security guard at Manatee Memorial Hospital, according to police. Investigators have not indicated that the hospital was involved in the incident, but his employment as a security professional has drawn attention due to his familiarity with weapons and security environments. Authorities have not publicly disclosed how Roberts Jr. obtained the firearms used in the attack or whether they were legally owned, noting that the investigation into those details is ongoing.
Chief Cramer highlighted the severity of the attack on the surviving victim, stating that she was shot multiple times and that her survival was due in part to rapid medical intervention. He described her as “lucky to be alive,” while also acknowledging the long road to physical and emotional recovery she faces.
Police also emphasized the role of witnesses in the immediate aftermath. Individuals who saw the suspect flee the scene provided descriptions of his vehicle, information that proved critical in locating him quickly. Cramer praised these witnesses as heroes, noting that their willingness to come forward helped law enforcement act decisively.
Arrest, Charges, and Court Proceedings
Following the shooting, Roberts Jr. fled the scene in his vehicle. A description of the car was broadcast to area law enforcement agencies, and Manatee County deputies located and stopped the vehicle approximately 20 minutes after the incident. Police reported that during the traffic stop, Roberts Jr. made statements indicating that he understood why he was being detained.
Roberts Jr. was taken into custody without further incident and later booked into the Manatee County jail. During his first court appearance on Friday afternoon, he appeared largely emotionless, according to police accounts. A judge ordered that he be held without release pending a pre-trial detention hearing scheduled for Friday, January 23, at 8:30 a.m.
Prosecutors have charged Roberts Jr. with first-degree murder with a firearm in the death of Myshaela Burnham and attempted first-degree murder with a firearm for the shooting of her co-worker. These charges reflect allegations of intentional and premeditated actions, carrying severe potential penalties under Florida law if he is convicted.
Chief Cramer reiterated the department’s position during a public briefing, stating that the actions attributed to Roberts Jr. could never be forgiven and underscoring the lasting damage caused by the violence. Investigators continue to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review surveillance footage from the area as they prepare the case for prosecution.
The shooting has left the Bradenton community grappling with grief and concern, particularly for employees who work in medical and public-facing facilities. While the investigation proceeds through the court system, authorities have stressed the importance of community cooperation and vigilance, crediting the rapid arrest to timely information provided by witnesses.
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