Teenager Arrested in the First Homicide of the New Year

A 17-year-old was arrested in the shooting death of a local 19-year-old, the first homicide of the new year.

Danny Waiters, 17, was arrested in the Jan. 1 shooting death of Paul Grieco, 19, at the Chevron Gas Station at 1832 Manatee Ave. E.  

On Jan. 1 around 8:30 p.m., Waiters was at the gas station with two other men for what detectives believe was a drug-related transaction, according to a Manatee County Sheriff's report. Detectives are withholding the names of the two other at this time.

According to the sheriff's report:

Grieco, Brandon Keisel, 20, and Dillan Contreras, 20 drove to the gas station where they were approached by Waiters. Detectives say Waiters pointed a hand gun into the window of their vehicle and at some point during an exchange, shot several times at the victims.

Grieco later died at Manatee Memorial Hospital, Keisel was taken to Blake Hospital where he is recovering from a non-life threatening gun-shot wound. Contreras was not injured.

Waiters is charged with homicide. Additional charges and the arrests of more suspects is expected.

The case was solved by the Manatee Homicide Investigation unit, a team made up of Bradenton police detectives and detectives from the Manatee County Sheriff's office.

Detectives would like to talk with unknown witnesses. Video surveillance shows that several people were in close proximity to the shooting and could provide valuable information.

The Manatee Sheriff's department is asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Manatee Homicide Investigation Unit at 941-747-3011 x 2519 or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.

UPDATE: Original reports from the sheriff's office listed Grieco's age as 16. The story has been updated to reflect his correct age.