$8,000 reward offered in the murder of Dwight Sutton, Sr.
March 19, 2025
Case #: 2023-002374
At approximately 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 19, 2023, Bradenton Police officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 700 block of 17th St. Ct. E. and located the victim, Dwight Sutton, Sr., 56, in front of a home.
Detectives quickly identified Michael Alonzo Phillips, 58, as a person of interest. The ongoing investigation revealed that Phillips orchestrated Sutton’s murder. Phillips was arrested for first-degree murder on July 2, 2024, however, the State Attorney’s Office declined to proceed with the case at the time. To date, the shooter has not been identified.
The following rewards, totaling up to $8,000, are offered in this case:
Up to $5,000 from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and Gold Star Club of Manatee County for information leading to an arrest in this case.
Up to $3,000 for information leading to an arrest from Crime Stoppers of Manatee County, Inc.
** To be eligible for the reward, tips must first be submitted to Crime Stoppers at manateecrimestoppers.com or 866-634-8477. **
Click here to report a tip to Crime Stoppers
You can also reach out to Detective Brian Sands at 941-932-9312 or brian.sands@bradentonpd.com.
Dwight Sutton, Sr. was killed on March 19, 2023.