By: Carlos R. Munoz, Staff Writer

BRADENTON — Tommy Knockers Saloon owner Mark Rosato said his heart dropped when he got the call that a man was killed outside his neighborhood bar in Bradenton early Sunday morning.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said that when they arrived they found Gabriel Conde, 39, shot to death and four other people shot and wounded. They later learned a fifth wounded person had arrived at a hospital.

“It was gut-wrenching; my heart dropped,” Rosato said. “Always hate to hear anytime anybody gets hurt. I’m very sorry to the family and my condolences.”

According to reports, deputies responded to a report of a shooting with injuries around 12:30 a.m. Sunday at the Tommy Knockers Saloon in the 5627 14th St. W. in Bradenton.

Deputies were told Conde and at least one other man were drinking at the bar when a group of Hispanic men arrived and began an argument with them. The argument moved outside and the two groups began fighting. At some point one of the men in the second group began shooting.

Witnesses said the shooter left the scene with two or three others in a white four-door vehicle, possibly a Chevrolet Impala.

The shooter was described as a bald Hispanic male, about 5 foot 8 inches tall and wearing a white T-shirt and blue jean shorts. Witnesses also reported that a male from the first group who also may have been shot fled in a dark SUV.

Conde, who was shot in the chest, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Suffering non-life threatening gunshot wounds were Adolfo Garcia, 30; Calvin D Lewis, 22; Robert Wright, 27; and Fermin Vazquez, 18.

Tommy Knockers Saloon website describes the tavern as a “Five Star Dive Bar,” and Rosato calls it a family establishment where people feel safe. The bar recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary.

“We just put a lot of effort into renovating and celebrating our 10th year,” Rosato said. “We are known as a safe local neighborhood bar. We have two cameras right off to the side over here on the wall facing the parking lot. Law enforcement was here all night looking at the cameras. They have the footage.

“People feel safe in here because you do make an effort to make them comfortable and make them safe. This is the first time anything like this has happened, and it’s a shock.”

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