A shocking act of violence inside a workplace has left one young woman dead and another fighting for her life in Florida. The incident, which police say was planned and targeted, has deeply shaken the Bradenton community and raised serious concerns about domestic violence and safety at work.
A deadly attack inside an office building
Keith Roberts Jr., 29, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his ex-girlfriend, 29-year-old Myshaela Burnham. He also faces a charge of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm for allegedly shooting one of her co-workers.
The shooting happened around 12:45 pm on Thursday at an office suite located on the 5200 block of 4th Avenue in Bradenton, just south of Tampa. Burnham was at her desk, working as usual, when police say Roberts entered the building through an unlocked door.
Bradenton Police Chief Jason Cramer said Roberts went straight to Burnham’s desk, showing that he knew exactly where she would be sitting. According to the chief, Roberts opened fire at point-blank range. He was reportedly carrying two guns, including a shotgun.
Co-worker also seriously injured
A co-worker who was seated at a desk next to Burnham was also hit during the attack. Chief Cramer explained that the two desks were so close that the shotgun blast struck the co-worker as well. After that, police say Roberts took out another gun and began shooting directly at her, describing the act as clearly premeditated.
The second victim has not been named by authorities. Police confirmed that she was shot multiple times with both a shotgun and a handgun. She underwent surgery and is currently listed in stable condition.
Chief Cramer said she is extremely lucky to be alive and added that the entire community is praying for her recovery.
Quick police response leads to arrest
After the shooting, several witnesses called 911 and reported seeing a vehicle fleeing the scene. The Bradenton Police Department quickly alerted nearby agencies, including the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Together, officers were able to locate and arrest Roberts within 25 minutes of the shooting.
Court records show that Roberts made his first court appearance on Friday. He is scheduled to return to court again next week, with an arraignment set for February 13.
Fear and trauma across the building
Photos from the scene revealed that the office next door to where the shooting happened is a dental clinic. Police confirmed that there were no patients inside the specific office suite at the time of the attack. However, many people were in nearby offices and clearly heard the gunfire.
A spokesperson for Bradenton police said that even though no patients were present in the affected office, a lot of people in the building were exposed to the terrifying sounds of the shooting. For many, this will likely be a trauma they carry for a long time.
Strong words from police chief
Chief Cramer did not hold back when speaking about the suspect and the impact of the crime. He described Roberts as a terrorist, saying that he terrorised not only the victims, but also their families, children, and everyone connected to them.
He said the lives of those involved have been either ended or changed forever. He also stated that the level of cruelty shown in the attack is something that can never be forgiven.
These statements reflect the deep emotional toll this case has had on law enforcement, the victims’ loved ones, and the wider community.
