Police say the attack killed 29-year-old Myshaela Burnham and left a coworker, 26, wounded.
BRADENTON, Fla. — A 26-year-old woman is recovering after being shot four times during a workplace attack at a Bradenton office and medical complex on Jan. 15, police and family friends said. The same shooting killed her coworker, 29-year-old Myshaela Burnham. Officers arrested 29-year-old Keith Roberts Jr. minutes after the attack and booked him into the Manatee County jail.
Authorities say the case remains active as detectives piece together what happened inside the suite on the 5200 block of 4th Avenue Circle East. The survivor was seated near Burnham when the gunfire started shortly before 1 p.m., according to police statements. Investigators say Roberts is Burnham’s former boyfriend and that he entered the office with a firearm and opened fire at close range. The quick arrest and the woman’s survival have focused attention on how the shooting unfolded and what charges Roberts faces as the investigation moves toward filings in circuit court.
Police said callers reported a vehicle leaving the complex just after 12:48 p.m. Officers quickly identified the car and took Roberts into custody near the DeSoto Bridge in Palmetto within about 25 minutes. Bradenton Police Chief Josh Cramer said evidence indicates the gunman went directly to Burnham’s desk and fired at point-blank range. The survivor, a lab processing employee seated at an adjoining workspace, was struck multiple times. “This was targeted,” Cramer said. Family friends identified the wounded woman as Summer Freitag, 26, and said she remains under medical care but is awake and communicating with loved ones. Witness statements and surveillance video from nearby suites have been collected, detectives said.
Police have named Burnham as the victim who died at the scene. The medical examiner will determine the official cause of death. Investigators say Roberts faces counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and attempted first-degree murder with a firearm. Jail records show he is being held without bond. Officers recovered shell casings and other ballistic evidence from the suite, and technicians processed the area for fingerprints and trace materials. Detectives have not released the make or model of the weapon. The survivor told friends she was shot four times and underwent emergency treatment. Her friend, Taylor Strayer, said the family is grateful for support and focused on her rehabilitation.
The complex, which includes medical and office tenants, sits east of downtown Bradenton near the 5200 block of 4th Avenue Circle East. Police say Roberts and Burnham had ended a long-term relationship within the past month. The chief said he believes Roberts knew where Burnham sat inside the office. Nearby businesses remained open after officers cleared the scene. Employees who sheltered in place described a rapid police response and saw patrol cars block the complex entrances as detectives arrived.
Court filings are expected to outline additional evidence in the coming days. Prosecutors will review the Bradenton Police case and determine formal charges. A first appearance hearing has already resulted in Roberts being held without bond. Future proceedings could include a formal arraignment, discovery deadlines, and motions regarding any statements Roberts made after his arrest. Police said investigators from the Manatee Homicide Investigation Unit interviewed Roberts the evening of Jan. 15. The department plans to release updates as lab results and surveillance reviews are completed.
Outside the building, flowers and a small memorial formed near the office entrance over the weekend. Co-workers described Burnham as a dependable colleague and mother who often volunteered for early shifts. “She was the anchor of our little team,” one employee said. Strayer said Freitag’s first words to family after surgery were about Burnham. “She kept asking if Myshaela was okay,” Strayer said. Neighbors said the complex was busy at midday, and several heard a burst of shots followed by screams and doors slamming.
As of Tuesday, police say Roberts remains in the Manatee County jail and the survivor continues treatment. Detectives are still analyzing digital evidence and awaiting additional reports. The next expected milestone is the filing of formal charges and a court date to be set this week.
Author note: Last updated January 20, 2026.